air.”
“And what am I supposed to say to him exactly? Hey! I heard you sleep with all the women whose companies you buy off. Is that one of your hobbies? Are you collecting sexual victories to brag about?”
I’m breathless by the end of that speech, and Kim sighs.
“No, you don’t have to say those words exactly.”
I roll my eyes.
“But you’ve based everything off of what his assistant has told you,” she adds.
“And it makes complete sense. I don’t see any reason why she would lie about this. What does she have to gain? And I know he won’t be able to deny it because it’s all true. I’m the only one who was an idiot enough to drag it out for weeks. It should have ended after that first night.”
“Honey, I think the whole Stephen thing has made you a bit too paranoid about men and relationships, especially what men might want from a relationship.”
“I just like to be well informed.”
“There is a difference between being well informed and making an informed decision. You are not doing that. You have put all your trust in this one girl who is practically a stranger to you. Does she have any proof of Trevor’s past exploits? Did she give you any details? Any names?”
I snap at Kim this time. I’ve had enough. “Whose side are you on?”
She shakes her head, disappointed. “You know I will always be on your side.”
“Then maybe you should act like it!”
I stride away from her, crossing the room and stepping out into the balcony. I need some fresh air. I need to get away from the crowd. Most importantly, I need to figure out what’s wrong with me. What is making me snap like that at my best friend? At my pregnant best friend who wants nothing other than the best for me.
I can feel hot tears stinging the backs of my eyelids. I am so close to crying this time, but I hear the door sliding open behind me.
“Kim, I’m so sorry!” I exclaim, turning to look, but it’s not her. It’s Kirk.
He approaches me with his arms crossed over his chest.
“I should be very fuckin’ pissed off with you because of how you spoke to the woman I love. I saw and heard it all, Blaire.”
“I know. Shit. I’m going to apologize. I’m going to make this right. She didn’t deserve any of that.”
I make to go, but Kirk stops me.
“I’m not as pissed with you as I should be, Blaire, because I know how it feels to have your heart broken. I got very lucky to find my way back to Kim; if I didn’t, I’d be floating around as a shell of myself.”
“I’m not heart broken, Kirk. I’m disappointed and feel cheated. It’s not like…not like…”
“You love him?” he asks. There’s a slight smile on Kirk’s face as he stares at me questioningly.
When I’m not able to answer, he shrugs and turns to leave.
“There’s just one thing I’m going to tell you, Blaire. Take it or leave it. If you have fallen in love with this man, then you shouldn’t give up without finding out the truth. There are always two sides to every story.”
One month later and its Kim’s baby shower.
I’ve organized everything exactly the way I know she would like it. I’ve picked a calm Japanese garden where they’re serving us bottomless sushi. All our closest friends and Kim’s sister-in-law have been invited. There are fun games, presents, tasteful and pretty decorations, and I can see the glow on Kim’s face as she interacts with all our friends.
I know I behaved badly at their cocktail party. She insists that she has forgiven me and I shouldn’t worry about it. But I do.
No matter how I treat the rest of the world or what goes wrong in my life, the last thing I want to do is take it out on Kim, who is my rock.
“Are you sure you like everything?” I ask her when we get a moment to talk.
“Of course I do! Stop second-guessing yourself, Blaire. This is gorgeous. I couldn’t have planned it better myself.”
She hugs me, and I almost feel tearful in her arms.
“I’m sorry for being distant and cut-off from everything these last few weeks.”
“You’re going through something. It’s understandable.”
We squeeze each other’s hands, and then one of our friends comes over to drag Kim away for some silly game they’ve devised. I look at them with a smile on my face. I’m so happy for Kim.