CHAPTER 7

**PRESENT**

After storming out of Sophie's house, my feet moved automatically, taking me far from the betrayal I’d just uncovered. I collapsed onto a bench on a nearby street, the cold metal biting into my legs as my mind spun. My thoughts crashed and tangled like waves in a storm. Why? Why did it have to be him? My ex, in her house? Naked?

How long have they been together? Are they even together?

The questions spiraled relentlessly, gnawing at my sanity, each one twisting the knife deeper. I tried to lose myself in the passing crowds, hoping that watching the ebb and flow of people might soothe the turmoil inside me. But it didn’t help.

"Jessica!" Sophie's voice shattered my stillness. She jogged over, breathless, her eyes wide with worry as she plopped down beside me on the bench.

"Can you let me explain, at least - please" she said, her voice shaky. But I cut through her words before she could even begin.

"How long have you two been sleeping together?" My voice was a flat monotone, my gaze fixed ahead, avoiding hers. I couldn't bring myself to look at her, not when she had traitor written all over her face.

"Jess, it’s not like that," she started, wringing her hands nervously. "We’re not together - not like that. We hooked up randomly, like a year ago. It’s... it’s not serious. We’re just... y’know, friends with benefits."

I rolled my eyes, a bitter laugh bubbling up from my chest. "Friends with benefits. Right." I could feel the jealousy rising like bile in my throat, poisoning my every word. "Sophie, you see a lot of people, no you fuck a lot of people. Why the hell did it have to be him?"

Her expression shifted, a defensive edge creeping in. "I don’t *have* to explain myself, Aria. I mean... you and Parrish broke up like years ago! You’re with Nathan now, and from what you’ve told me, he’s perfect for you."

"Yeah, but you still slept with him last night. After I told you *everything* about how messed up things were. About how he's my boss now!" My voice broke, the hurt pouring out faster than I could contain it.

"I asked you if you still had feelings for him, and you said you didn’t." Her tone turned sharp, like she was trying to deflect the blame back on me. "You said you were happy with Nathan."

I stared at her, unable to believe what I was hearing. "You knew. You knew how conflicted I was, and you still—" my voice broke.

"I didn’t think it was a big deal!" Sophie interrupted, her voice rising to match mine. "It’s not like I planned to hurt you, Jess. You were the one who said it was over, that you had moved on! What do you want me to do? You’re acting like this is all on me."

I stood up suddenly, the anger bubbling over. "You don’t get it, do you? I moved here to get away from all of that—away from him. Now he’s in my life again, as my boss. And then I find out you’re..." I trailed off, the words sticking in my throat. I couldn’t even finish the sentence. It felt too raw, too painful.

Sophie rose to her feet, her patience clearly thinning. "Look, I’m sorry if it hurt you. But you need to figure out what you want, Jessica. You’ve been saying for years that Parrish was in the past, and you're so in love with Nathan. If that’s not true, then that’s on you. Not me. I fucked a single man"

"No - you fucked your best friend's ex but you know what, it's cool. You just do you"

I turned away, the tears stinging my eyes. "I need to think. I need to get away from all this," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "From you... from Parrish... from everything." but how could I do that when I was going to see him again in a few hours.

Without another word, I walked away, leaving Sophie standing there, staring after me. God, I hated her.

---

I walked into the apartment later that night, still numb from my fight with Sophie. My heart felt like it had been ripped apart all over again, but I didn’t have time to process it. I had to get ready for the party—the last place I wanted to be tonight. But it wasn’t like I could avoid it, I mean I could but not when my coworkers were already blowing up my phone that I was running late, but in all of this madness I wanted to see him still.

As I slipped into the black dress I had bought that afternoon, I glanced over at Nathan, bent over his laptop. He didn’t even notice me until I walked out of the bathroom, fully dressed and makeup applied. When he finally looked up, his eyes widened in surprise.

"Wow... where are you off to looking so delicious?" he asked, walking over to wrap his arms around me, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.

"The welcome party for the new CEO, I told you this morning" I reminded him, although my heart wasn’t really in it. The thought of seeing Parrish again—after everything—made my stomach churn.

"I mean you're still welcome to come" I added and actually hoping he'll come with me, maybe that way I could keep Parrish out of my eyesigt

"Ah, right," he nodded, glancing back at the files scattered across his desk. "I’m swamped with work right now baby"

"Of course," I muttered, disappointment tugging at me, even though I already knew he wouldn’t come. I wanted him to. I needed him to. But I didn’t push.

"You’ll be fine without me, right?" he said, smiling down at me. "Just don’t get too wild."

I forced a smile and kissed him goodbye before heading out the door, feeling more alone than I had in a long time.

---

The club was packed by the time I arrived. Loud music, flashing lights, and bodies swaying to the beat. It felt like a blur, like I wasn’t really there, just floating through the motions.

Cara handed me a drink the moment I walked in. "You’re late! Drink up, we’ve all been having shots for hours and you need to catch up"

I took the drink, downing it in one go, my eyes scanning the crowd for Parrish. I didn’t want to see him, but at the same time... I did. But he wasn’t there, I wasn't sure if I was relieved or even more anxious.

"You’re not going to start acting all shy now, are you? Here, take another shot" Cara teased, slapping another shot into my hand.

I shrugged, forcing down the burn of the alcohol as I continued to scan the room. "Where’s the man of the hour?" I casually asked, trying to ease the edginess from my voice.

Cara waved a hand dismissively. "Who knows? No one really cares, he's going to mess up the vibes anyways"

But I cared. More than I wanted to admit.

By the time I’d had a few more shots, my body was buzzing with the alcohol, and the beat of the music pulsed through me like electricity. I let myself get swept up in it, letting go of all the confusion, the pain, the guilt. For just a little while.

I danced with the first guy I saw, feeling his hands on my waist, his body moving in sync with mine. He leaned in close, whispering in my ear. "You’re so hot."

But I wasn’t listening. I wasn’t there with him. I was lost in my own thoughts—thoughts of Parrish, thoughts of Nathan, thoughts of what the hell I was doing with my life.

Suddenly, I felt the guy’s hand slip too far up my thigh. I tried to pull away, but he held on tight.

"Let go of me," I said calmly, I was drunk but I was sure I didn't want this stranger groping me anyways.

But before I could break free, a strong hand yanked me away from him.

"Get lost" The familiar voice sent shivers down my spine, and I looked up to see Parrish standing there, his eyes blazing but the guy stood his ground, throwing Parrish a dirty stare.

"Don’t make me say it again," he warned, his grip on me tight, protective.

The guy backed off immediately, muttering under his breath as he disappeared into the crowd.

And there I was again, pressed against Parrish's chest, feeling that magnetic pull all over again—the one I knew I should resist even when I knew he had been with my best friend.

But it was always so damn hard.

He was too damn intoxicating.