Page 7 of Discretion

The dress I’d been holding slipped from the hanger, and I gaped at her. “You did what?”

“You need to get back out there,” she continued. “You’re hot and young?—”

“Pfft. Right.” I wasn’t sure either description fit me anymore. I was in my late thirties. I was a single mom. I was tired. And it showed.

Besides, I wasn’t interested in dating. Even if I had the time or the desire to date—which I didn’t. I was done letting a man have any say in my life.

I hadn’t gotten divorced only to shackle myself to someone new.

Zara glared at me. “Youare. You’re a knockout. All you need is a good night’s sleep. Slap on some concealer and wear your hair down for once, and you’ll see that I’m right.”

“I appreciate that,” I said, and part of me knew she was right. A lot of what I was feeling was anxiety and exhaustion. “But get real, Zar. I’m a single mom who’s going to be living in a new city. Not to mention that I’ll be crazy busy at work. And helping my parents.” My dad had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s last summer, and my mom had been dragging her feet about moving him into a care facility.

I knew a big part of it was money. Alzheimer’s care was hella expensive. But I also understood that a lot of her resistance was emotional. She didn’t want to have to make that decision for him. She didn’t want to live apart—him at a facility and her at their home.

I’d been so relieved when Sloan had asked me to relocate to LA with her. I felt so far away in London. Too far away. My parents were just a few hours’ flight from LA. I waslooking forward to visiting them more often because our weekly video chats were no longer enough.

“I know,” Zara said in a gentle tone. “I know you’ll be busy, and you have a lot on your plate. But you’re the one who said you wanted to go to LA, not just to be closer to your parents but because you needed a change. You’ll be in a new city, and LA is the perfect place to meet someone.”

“I get that you own a luxury matchmaking business?—”

“A verysuccessfulluxury matchmaking business,” she added with a grin.

“Yes. And I know you just want everyone to be happy and fall in love. But you know I’m not interested.”

“In marriage, maybe. Which is why I haven’t tried matching you with anyone—” I gave her a look, so she added, “Lately.” Her expression might be contrite, but I wasn’t buying it. “I have not tried matching you lately. And hey, maybe you’re not ready for a relationship, but what about sex?”

“What about it?”

“I hear a good shag can do wonders for stress relief. You’ve been divorced for almost two years. When’s the last time you were well and truly fucked?”

“Not as long ago as you’d think,” I muttered.

“Wait. What?” She climbed onto her knees. “Who?And please tell me it was not Craig.”

“Seriously?” I rolled my eyes. “Give me a little credit, Zar.”

“You’re right. Sorry. I know you wouldn’t get back together with him. I think…” She got up and took my hand in hers with a sigh. “I think that’s just my biggest fear.”

“I know.” I nodded.

And I understood. I did. Before the divorce was finalized, Craig had tried to convince me to give him another shot. And for a brief moment, I’d been tempted to give him that second chance. Mostly for Kai’s sake. For the guilt I felt—the guilt Craig had made me feel—for breaking up our family.

“Yeah. That’s never happening.” I scoffed, annoyed that Craig had nearly manipulated me yet again. But I was smarter now. Stronger.

I was also happier without Craig. And I had faith that Kai would be okay too. Craig and I might not be in love with each other, but that didn’t mean I loved our son any less.

“So…I’m forgiven?” She batted her eyes at me.

Was she kidding? Zara was the one friend who had been there for me. Who had stood by me through the divorce when all my other so-called friends had deserted me.

And she kept showing up for me. Just like I did for her.

“Of course you are.”

“So who was it, then?” she asked.

“It doesn’t matter. It was…inappropriate.” That was putting it mildly. Unprofessional. Unethical.Wrong.It was wrong.