Well, fuck him. Fuck all men who think they can have their cake and eat it too.
“I have the ring,” he says. “It's in the nightstand. Take a look.”
“What?”
“The ring,” he says again slowly, and I want to punch him in the face. I'm not looking anywhere except in the bathroom for my make-up bag. I'm out of here. He can give his lying, cheating ring to one of his other women – the one who took it up the ass like the trooper that I'm definitely not.
“I don't want to look at a ring,” I reply equally slowly. “My cab will be here in five minutes.”
“Natalie.” He shakes his head like a teacher who has caught a pupil eating candy in class. “Always the drama queen. Are you really going to go through with this? You know we have flights to Cambodia in two days. Just think about Angkor Wat and the spectacular shots you'll be able to take there. It's the chance of a lifetime.”
“There'll be other chances,” I say, but even as the words pass my lips, I don't believe them. I know what I'm walking away from, and it's killing me. Tomorrow I'll be home with my tail between my legs, an empty bank account, and no job. Traveling around the world is going to be the last thing on my mind. This morning I was sitting on the balcony staring out at the swelling sea, filled with false hope. By tomorrow, I'll be back home to an uncertain future.
“Why give up this one?” He saunters into the room as though we're discussing which of the five hotel restaurants to eat in this evening, rather than the acrimonious end of our lives together. “I didn't know this is how you'd react. If I'd known…”
“You'd what?”
“I'd have talked to you…explained how important it is to me that we experience all aspects of pleasure together. If you'd accepted that…”
I put up my hand because I just don't want to hear any more bullshit. As though the universe is listening with my same disgust, the phone rings. It's Connie, and I couldn't be more relieved to see a friendly name pop across the screen.
“Hey, Connie,” I say, turning my back on Nate and heading to the bathroom.
“Natalie. I got your message. Are you seriously coming home tonight?”
“Seriously,” I say, kicking the door closed and holding the phone against my ear with a raised shoulder while I gather my toiletries.
“That's amazing. I can't wait to see you.”
“Me too. It's been too long.” It really has been. A year without my bestie has been tough. Yes, technology makes the world smaller, but video chats aren't the same as sitting on the same sofa and sharing a bottle of wine. I've missed my friend, and now that my heart is shredded, her warm words and kindness feel even more distant.
“I know your mom moved last September. How do you feel about moving in?”
“Okay, I guess. She's pretty much ordered me to live with her. There are about ten spare rooms for me to choose from, and the house is right on the beach.”
“That'll be perfect. You can sun yourself while you get used to being on home ground.”
“No rest for me,” I say. “I'll need to find work straight away.”
“I'm sure something will come up, and in the meantime, let your rich stepfather put his hand in his pocket.” Connie chuckles evilly. Conrad Banbury is richer than Croesus. The house I'm going to be staying at temporarily is just one of many, and worth well over fifteen million big ones. I guess he can afford to keep me for a while, but it's not something I'd feel comfortable with at all. I mean, I've only met the man once before I left the U.S. with Nate, and that was a rushed brunch where Mom laughed nervously and fluttered her hands too much.
“Conrad has generously paid for my flight home. I think that's about all I'm okay with him doing.”
“I should think so too. He probably found the money for the ticket down the back of his designer couch.”
“Probably.”
“So, let's meet for lunch on Wednesday. My treat.”
“Sounds good. My diary is wide open.” I blink quickly as tears spring to my eyes. The amazing itinerary that I'd planned out with Nate is now an unfulfilled dream. Once I'm back in the States, my passport will find its way back into a dusty drawer.