I shook my head. “Not yet. I was just about to whip something up.”

Nathan’s eyes flickered; he avoided my gaze and lowered his head slightly. “Don’t bother. I already got you something.”

“Come on in,” I said, turning back to the balcony. The morning sun was warm, and I picked up my yoga mat.

Nathan followed me, watching as I tidied up. “So, you’re not going to explain what happened last time?” Nathan suddenly asked.

I glanced up at him. “Do you honestly think I’d ever go back to someone I already left?”

Nathan paused, looking uncertain. “I can’t say for sure. If it was any other guy, probably not. But Mr. Holcomb’s got that kind of charm.”

“Well, you don’t know me,” I said, my tone going cold.

Seeing how cold I was, Nathan hurried to say, “I do want to understand you more, but that takes time. We haven’t known each other that long, but I’m trying, I promise.”

“Love means trust, you know?” I asked, my tone softening a bit.

Nathan looked a little lost. “I do, but…”

“If you say you like me but still don’t trust me, you’re only making things harder for both of us.”

“And what about you? Do you trust me?” Nathan hurried over, his tone urgent.

I turned to look at him, the sunlight behind him casting his handsome features in a glow; he looked unexpectedly captivating. I nodded. “I trust you.”

“Really?” Nathan’s eyes instantly lit up. “Aren’t you afraid I’m just faking it, only acting like I care?”

I said, “First off, you’re always swamped with work; your time is worth a fortune. If you’re actually willing to spend that on me, why would I ever doubt you? It’s not like you’re some guy with endless free time.”

My words made Nathan grin. He asked, “Victoria, are you trying to get to know me too?”

I nodded. “Of course. For two strangers to come together, they have to get to know each other first.”

“Alright, I won’t question you about Mr. Holcomb anymore,” Nathan said, finally letting it go.

I nodded. Nathan was so much easier to handle than Jared. He didn’t even need me to say much–he soothed himself.

“I got a little sweaty, so I’m gonna hop in the shower,” I said.

Nathan was giving me that heated look. I knew exactly what was running through his mind; guys like him, once I got them started, were way too easy to set off.

I didn’t know if it was because Nathan and I had been spending so much time together lately, but my skin had gotten ridiculously soft and glowy. Honestly, putting on makeup was a breeze now.

Nathan slipped up behind me, his touch gentle. “Need some help?” My heart fluttered. If he tried to help, he’d only make things more complicated.

I didn’t turn him down, and before I knew it, Nathan was right there with me. My back was pressed against the wall, my heart racing like I was afraid of heights. I could only cling to him tightly.

They said guys were “hard” in the morning, and I was definitely learning that the hard way.

By the time we finished breakfast, it was already past nine. Nathan left for work, looking pretty pleased with himself. I headed to the hotel, my legs still a little wobbly.

Not long after I got to the hotel, I overheard a few cleaning ladies gossiping in a corner.

“Did you hear? Mr. Holcomb and Ms. Murphy got divorced because she was seeing someone else on the side.”

“Seriously? Ms. Murphy always looked so prim and proper. Who would’ve thought she’d do something so scandalous?”

“I heard the guy she’s with is younger than Mr. Holcomb.”

“So what if he’s younger? Does he have as much money as Mr. Holcomb?”

“You just don’t get it. Ms. Murphy must’ve been really thirsty and let her impulses get the better of her for a moment.”

My face darkened. I couldn’t believe it; someone was spreading rumors about my divorce from Jared, casting me as the cheating wife in their drama.

This was Sally’s style. She was trying to force me to quit by making up these stories, smearing my name, and kicking me out.

This kind of drama was nothing new to me, and my way of handling it was simple–time to fight fire with fire. If they wanted to play dirty, I’d play along.

I walked right up to the ladies and said, “You got it. Jared just can’t perform.”