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Chapter Fourteen

Max

After the most satisfying meal in three weeks, I find myself surreptitiously rubbing my belly as I walk back to the hotel. Rhys is off to the side, taking a call.

I inhale the traffic smog with a smile. The world looks like a better place. The stars shine brighter, a few of them bright enough to be visible even over the countless street lights and through wisps of night clouds milling across the sky. I tilt my head back for a better view. Is that a full moon? I blink up at the huge silvery disk in the sky and sigh. Absolutely gorgeous.

Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy another beer while looking up at that view? Gotta be careful, though. I already had two—maybe three—beers, and there’s champagne waiting back in the suite, the complimentary one the check-in clerk promised, which neither of us has touched.

My phone pings with a text from Jeffrey.

–Jeffrey: Hey, babe, how are you? Still not coming home this weekend?

–Me: Not sure. Probably not. Depends on when the pilot gets here to fly us back.

–Jeffrey: Okay, just wanted to check up on you. I’m stuck in Seattle. A client emergency. Boo!

–Me: Sucks. My agenda here ended a little earlier than expected. So sending you some of my luck! :heart-emoji:

–Jeffrey: You’re the best. Love you.

–Me: Love you more. :kiss-emoji:

I smile. Although this trip started out less than great, it’s ending on a pretty good note. A second trip to Tokyo might be amazing. I should check and see if Jeffrey can take a week or two off in the next few months, even though he’s always busy with out-of-town projects.

Rhys stops in front of the hotel, points at his phone, then gestures at me to go ahead. Guess he has a very private and very important call. Even the prospect of having to share the bed with him again doesn’t seem too horrible now. The Ohimesama deal is done. I’ll be home soon.

Cheeseburgers do indeed make everything better—

But of course it doesn’t last. The moment I step into the lobby, I see Trevor. He’s changed into a black dress shirt and slacks, no tie. No Lily on his arm this time—just some brunette with wide blue eyes that hold no sign of intelligent life. Her magenta satin dress is so tight it looks spray-painted on. At least her breasts are real. But I’d bet an ovary that she’s younger than me.

So gross. My mouth purses with distaste. I roll my eyes, pretend not to notice and try to walk away. Sadly, my luck doesn’t hold because he makes eye contact and shoots me that smarmy smile.

“Look at you. All alone. Again.” He tightens his hand on the waist of the brunette, who looks at him, then me, blankly. Guess she doesn’t speak English. Probably found her in a local bar or something.

I flash him a fake smile. If he wants a second round, I’ll give it to him. Hope he doesn’t cry at the end. I’m going to Mike Tyson him. “And look at you, a new friend with no taste and no brain on your arm. What happened to Lily?”

“She’s enjoying an onsen. You know, a Japanese hot spring, in case you haven’t heard of it or had a chance to try. If you’d just bent a little, you could’ve had a life of leisure, just like her. Soak in the nice, hot water.”

“Onsen. Mmm-mmm.” The brunette wraps her arms around him, like she’d love to drag him into one right now.

Gross.

He gives her a greasy smile, then smacks her butt and shoos her away, murmuring something in her ear. She finger-waves at me, then blows a kiss at him before sashaying to the bar.

“If only my dignity came with a price tag.” I jerk my chin at the brunette. “Does Lily know about her?”

“Of course she knows. I don’t hide things from her. Unlike you and your mother, she’s understanding.”

Figures. “She mustreallylike your money.”

“She loves everything I give her and is grateful for it.” If he were a peacock, he’d be spreading his tail feathers.

Gag me with a spoon. “Gratitude! How wonderful! Maybe you can learn something from this one. When you were married to Mom, you barely got by with her support. She not only backed your business ventures, but raised me more or less on her own. You wouldn’t be where you are without her. Actually…you’d be nothing.”

The smugness drains from his face, replaced by stiff anger. That ego can’t stand a reminder of his years of poverty and struggle. Nor is he willing to acknowledge that there was a silent support from Mom during his years of hardship. In his mind, he achieved everything by himself. Nobody else is allowed credit.

I’d gladly donate a kidney to drop him on a deserted island and see how far he can get on his own.