Wild Nights With My Brother's Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 52

NICOLE

Esmeralda whirls back around, her hand on her chest as she starts hyperventilating. "I can't believe this," she murmurs. "I can't believe he's here!"

"Just...try to calm down," I say to her calmly, unsure of what else to do at this point. Armand hasn't noticed us at all, and every time I look at him, I feel angry at the entire situation and my role in all this.

"We'd planned on coming here together," she admits in a low voice. "That's why the whole trip was booked. It was going to be just the two of us. But after we decided to stay away from each other for a while, I thought he wouldn't come."

I frown, perplexed. "Wait. Did he tell you he wasn't coming?"

Her eyes are wide as she stares back at me. "Actually, I told him I wasn't coming. Then I changed my mind when I realized how great this would be for you."

I blink several times, speechless. "So, he has no idea you're here and...what? He'll want his room?"

"I don't know."

Dammit. This is exactly what I deserve for getting myself involved in all this. "We didn't have to come here, Esmeralda. Now what are we going to do? We've got to go home."

It seems this was the absolute wrong thing for me to say because she breaks down. I feel like an idiot for being so insensitive. I place my hand on her shoulder blade and say, "Please, just calm down. We'll get the situation sorted out. It'll be fine."

I look over her shoulder once more and this time, I make eye contact with him. Panic seeps into his eyes, and the way he looks at me makes me realize that he doesn't want a scandal in any way. What does he think we'll do? March up to him and make our presence known?

This is the messiest situation I've ever been involved in.

Armand ushers his family into the elevator and they disappear. I say this to Esmeralda. "They're gone."

She raises her hand and runs the back of her hand down her cheeks. If her makeup weren't waterproof, she'd look a mess right now. "I can't believe this is happening. I got away from all that just for this to happen?"

"We should get out of here," I suggest.

We pay for the drinks and leave. We didn't even get to finish them and they cost an arm and a leg. Right now, my priority is keeping Esmeralda calm, but the mood has changed for me, and I no longer want to be here.

Once outside, Esmeralda continues sobbing. I must admit that I'm confused right now—what is she crying about exactly? I want to ask, but at the same time, I know she needs this moment to re-center and calm down.

Sniffling, she rubs her nose with the back of her hand. "Come on. We should head to the beach party."

My eyes widen as I ask, "What?"

Raising a hand, she says to me, "We came here to have fun, remember? I'm not going to let Armand ruin our special weekend. Come on!"

Esmeralda tugs my arm with enough force to send me forward with a lurch. She takes determined steps away from the hotel's entrance, and we get going. At this point, I don't even know what to say. I'm mildly worried that we'll find all our things outside the hotel room when we return.

Again, this is a mess.

The entrance is crowded, and the air reeks of expensive perfume. Our tickets are scanned, and then we join the crowd of people all dressed in white. I keep a close eye on Esmeralda because right now, I don't trust how unstable she is. Her behavior is erratic.

I'm worried and I'd much rather go home.

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