Delaney James seems to have it all-a successful husband, a stylish Manhattan townhouse, and a thriving career in fashion journalism-until it all falls apart. Her husband leaves her, shattering the perfect life she once knew. Heartbroken and desperat...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"No!" they both shout in unison.
My lips part as I sigh in mild relief, a smidgeon of panic dissipating.
"We never slept together, Del," Greyson says, his tone definite, and I can see the honesty in his eyes. "We only hooked up one time."
My eyes dart between the two of them. Jo and Greyson didn't sleep together. That much is true, so, what happened between them? How far did it go?
Even though I know there was no sex involved, no matter how hard I try, or how many times I close my eyes and shake my head, I can't erase the image of them together from my mind. I can't unsee it.
"Delaney, I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry. We were –"
"Stop!" I shout. My hands shake as I run my fingers through my hair, and I don't have to look in a mirror to know my eyes are wide and wild. I can feel it. "I don't know if I want to...I don't think I can...what the actual fuck!"
"I know, I know! I'm sorry."
"What were you guys thinking?" I ask, stretching my arms to my sides, a loud smack echoing around us as they fall and slap against my thighs. "You hooked up? What does that even mean?"
"We only kissed. I promise you that's as far as it went, and I don't know what we were thinking. When I think back on that night, I don't even know who those people are anymore." Tears stream down her cheeks and she presses her hand against her panting chest, gripping her lavender t-shirt in a tight fist. "I was sad, and we were drinking, and it was a weird night all around. It was a huge mistake that I wish we could take it back. I really do."
"You're my best friend, Jo! And it's Greyson. You know what he means to me!"
"I know, I know! Our friendship means everything to me, Delaney. It's just...it – it happened when I was going through a really, really bad time. My life was falling apart around me and I was in a dark place. I know that's no excuse, but...I mean...you guys weren't together."
I stop pacing the room and slowly turn toward her. "Excuse me?"
"I just mean he didn't cheat on you. That's all."
She's right when she says Greyson and I weren't in a relationship when they had their moment together. We haven't been together for a long time, but she's my best friend, and everyone knows you don't hook-up with your best friends ex. That's the number one rule of girl code.
"That doesn't matter! I can't believe you..." I stop. I turn away, no longer able to look at either of them and grip my hair in my fists – pulling tightly at the root. The pain feels good. "You both shouldn't have let it happen. You should have known better."
"It was one time, Delaney! It was one God damn time, and it meant nothing!" she yells. "You weren't together, and the three of us weren't even speaking. Hell, you left ten years ago without so much as a 'kiss my ass.' And now you wanna stand here and claim girl code?"
