My phone buzzes again. This time he’s sent a text.
Him:Please talk to me
I pick it up and text back.
Me:No. Go away
Him:Chessie please let’s just talk
Me:Go back to the ball with the mother of your child
Him:Jesus
Me:Don’t bring him into it
Him:She’s gone I swear, Orson asked her to leave. I had to stay and make sure everything was going okay, but I’m in my suite now
Me:Alone?
Him:OMG
Me:Is that a yes?
Him:OF COURSE IT’S A YES
Me:Don’t yell at me
Him:I’m not yelling, I’m being assertive. I swear I’m alone. I just want to talk
I sit there for a moment, looking at my wine glass.
“Talk to him,” Lisa says softly. “You owe him that.”
“I don’t owe him anything.”
“He’s your friend. He hasn’t done anything wrong, has he?”
It’s true; it’s not his fault that his ex was unpleasant tonight, any more than it’s my fault that Ria has gone home with Tamati.
“All right,” I say. “I’m going to bed.”
“Goodnight.” She hugs me, and I get up. “Good luck,” she says.
“Thanks. For everything.” I blow her a kiss, grab a bottle of water from the fridge, go down the hall into my bedroom, and close the door.
As I get into bed, sitting up against the pillows, another text comes through.
Him:You still there?
Me:Yeah just got into bed
Him:I’m glad, I thought you’d gone
Me:No I’m here. What do you want to say?
Him:I want to apologize. I’m so sorry for what happened at the ball
I let out a long sigh.