Her explanation fits in a little too well with Anton’s theory that I chase drama. Instinctively, I rear back from it, but even I can see why.
“I just didn’t know who he was. Otherwise, I would never have gotten on that boat.”
“But you did get on the boat,” she points out. “Why?”
“I needed a distraction.”
“I’ll bet,” she says, raising her eyebrows. “Good pick.”
“Not like that,” I snap. “I meant that I wanted to immerse myself in a job and not have to think about my fiancé and best friend cheating together.”
“You got way more than you bargained for then.”
“God, you have no idea.”
“Did you sleep with him?” she stage-whispers.
I glare at her. “You’ve asked me that question before.”
“So why do I get the feeling you lied the first time?” Her brow arches, eyes searching.
And I double down. Because no way am I admitting to sleeping with a murderer. “No. Just a kiss.”
“What about last night?”
My entire body ignites with goosebumps. I’m thankful for the long-sleeved cotton shirt I’m wearing. “I told you what happened last night.”
She gives me a shrewd look. “I can smell the guilt coming off you right now, Jessa. Just tell me.”
Her persistence is starting to get irritating. But a part of me also just wants to get it off my chest. Again, I don’t tell her the whole truth. Just a version of it. Just a bit.
“He’s just playing mind games with me.”
“Does he touch you?”
I frown. “Um…”
“He does,” Freya exclaims. “Oh my—”
“Hey.”
I turn towards Chris’s quiet greeting and stand up with relief. I give him a tight hug before turning towards Freya. She’s looking up at Chris with barely concealed annoyance.
“You must be the best friend,” she drawls.
I step in for introductions. “Freya, this is Chris. Chris, this is Freya.”
They shake hands and Chris slides into the vacant chair between us. He grabs the menus I’ve forgotten about. “Have you ordered yet?”
“We’ve been busy chatting,” I say, just as Marianne reappears.
“You guys good to go?” she asks.
Freya looks at me. “Why don’t you order for me? You know this place well.”
“I’m good with that, too,” Chris agrees, putting the ball in my court.
So I run the gamut, ordering a stack of pancakes, a breakfast skillet, and a breakfast burrito. Everyone gets a bit of everything.