snap the photo, but it was clear to see that Chad and Amber had both gone into that hotel room together.
“Did you just get these photos today?” I went and sat on the other end of the couch that Arianna was sitting on. Her arms were folded across her chest. She didn’t currently have tears streaming down her cheeks, but from how puffy her eyes were, I wouldn’t be surprised if she’d cried the whole twenty-minute drive from the salon to my house.
Maybe even longer, from the looks of it.
“They came through right before I left the salon.” Her voice wobbled a little. “I don’t even know the girl who sent them. But she follows me on Instagram and must have recognized Chad from one of our photos or our live videos and decided to do a little detective work for me.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said, not knowing exactly what I should do. Because even though Chad was totally the type of guy who would cheat on his girlfriend with a co-worker, I hadn’t actually expected him to do it.
What guy would cheat on someone like Arianna? She was amazing.
Arianna sighed heavily, the pout in her lips more pronounced before she said, “I know I was planning to break things off with Chad when he got back so I shouldn’t be crying over that lying piece of crap, but I just feel so betrayed.” Her watery brown eyes met mine. “Like, how long has this been going on? Has he been cheating on me every single time he goes on a business trip with Amber? Were they just laughing behind my back every time we went on double dates because they knew what they were doing behind mine and Amber’s boyfriend’s back? They must have gotten a huge laugh over the fact that I didn’t even have the slightest clue that they were having an affair.”
“Hey…” I scooted closer and pulled her into my arms when it looked like she was about to burst into tears. “You’re not stupid.” I ran a hand down her silky brown hair. “Chad is the stupid one. Any guy willing to throw away his chance to be with one of the most amazing women that I know is an idiot.”
She relaxed her head against my chest, her whole body seeming to sigh as she wrapped her arms around my torso. “Why does this kind of thing always happen to me?”
“I don’t know.” I smoothed my hands up and down her back. “I don’t know why anyone would do this to you,” I said in what I hoped was a soothing voice. “But it’s not because of you. It’s on Chad. When you find the right guy for you, it will work out.”
I wanted that guy to be me, of course. But even if it wasn’t, I was sure Arianna would eventually find her happily-ever-after. Good people always got the happy ending they deserved.
And Arianna was one of the kindest, most generous, and loving people I knew.
We sat on my couch for a few minutes—Arianna sniffling every so often, me rubbing her back and wishing I could just magically make her feel all better.
When she hadn’t sniffled for a minute or two, she pushed herself away from me and wiped at the mascara smudges beneath her eyes.
“Sorry I ruined your shirt,” she said, pointing to the wet spot with mascara flakes over my heart. “I can get you a new one if you want.”
“It’s totally fine.” I shook my head and sat up straighter. “I have plenty of other shirts.” Then, after studying her face for a few seconds, I said, “But I’m guessing the night at the club is probably off the schedule for this evening?”
“I’m not exactly in the partying mood.” She sighed. “But if you really want to go out and impress the single ladies in Denver—” She wiped under her eye again. “—I can put myself back together. We’d only be a little late if I went and got ready now.”
“No, that’s fine,” I said. “If I’m being honest, I really don’t think meeting girls at a club is exactly my style.”
She shot me an incredulous look. “Since ‘not trying’ is your current style, I’m not sure that’s a very valid point.”
“I guess I can’t really deny that.” I chuckled and tugged on my pant leg that had ridden up when I’d scooted over to Arianna on the couch. “But I do think I’m better suited for a more private and