Page 87 of Harper's Holiday Romance

Wait.

“Julia, just listen to me.”

That wasn’t my voice.

My eyes widened. I leaned in closer to the doorframe. Was my mind playing tricks on me?

“Natalie, I can’t do this,”

14

Natalie. Natalie. Natalie.

The name repeated itself over and over again in my mind. Julia’s ex. It had to be.

Why was she here?

I was frozen in place. I looked around. The floor was empty. I should have turned and walked away, but putting one foot in front of the other felt like a marathon. My legs were weighted down like tree roots tangled into the ground. It was impossible to move.

Their conversation faded and then returned to focus. Were they pacing? The conversation couldn’t have started long ago. I’d just been with Julia. Was Natalie at the room waiting for her when she returned? Did Julia know? There was a lot to consider and little evidence to examine. Their voices grew louder, which benefited my eavesdropping but not my discretion.

“Why did you come here?” Julia asked.

“For you. I made a mistake, J . . . I love you . . . I only . . . nothing compares . . . an idiot . . . I wish I co . . .”

Natalie must’ve been doing handstands as she spoke because I could barely make out a full sentence, but the bits I did hear, I didn’t like.

Then there was silence. Julia said nothing in response. Was Natalie comforting her? It was torture. I leaned in closer. My ear was pressed so hard against the door if it opened, I’dtopple straight in.

“Is it because of that girl?” Natalie hissed.

“It is, isn’t it? The brunette with the fringe. Is that your type now?”

I didn’t like the way she said fringe. She was insulting my hair. Her type? What was that supposed to mean? Rude.

“It’s not because of any girl,” Julia responded.

“Then what is it?”

“Natalie, you cheated on me with my best friend. You can’t then jump on the next flight to Mexico to try and win me back because you’ve decided you don’t want to sleep with her anymore.”

Julia’s voice grew louder. I managed to move my legs, so I was against the wall and not directly in front of the door.

“I told you it was a mistake. We didn’t date or anything; I was too hung up on you.”

“Yes, so you keep saying.”

“Do you think she would’ve called and told me you were here if there was something between us?” Natalie asked.

“Why was she even here? Didn’t you think to tell her this was the hotel I booked for us. Obviously, I was going to be here.”

“I haven’t spoken to her in months, I swear. She didn’t know you would be here, and when she called and told me you were here, I had this urge to see you.”

“Was that urge fuelled by the fact she told you I was spending time with another woman?” Julia challenged. I bent down and pretended to adjust the laces on my shoes as an older couple walked by.

“Maybe, a little bit. I didn’t like the idea of it, okay? I’m only human, J.”

The way she saidJin the innocent non-homewrecking voice made me want to vomit. It was an incredibly cute pet name, and it suited her, just not coming from Natalie’s mouth. I could feel my body burning. Was I jealous? The last thing I wanted was Natalie worming her way in and ruining my final days with Julia.