Page 5 of Twisted Beauty

“Tell me you don’t want to get out there. We’ll miss the sunset. Besides, I haven’t seen you in forever. You have to fill me in on everything that happened.”

“I think we’ve covered that part.”

“Have not. You’ve been holding out on me. For three full weeks.” Katie glared at her. “All I get is one little text? Cheating a-hole, officially single, need tequila.”

“That pretty much sums it up,” Liv said. Katie put her hands on her hips and stared until Liv let out an exasperated groan. “Fine, I’ll change and be right out. You used to be so supportive.”

“I’m super supportive.” Katie flashed her a grin and headed out the door. “Ocean air, a shot of the good stuff, and some fresh testosterone. You’ll be good as new in no time. Follow the scent of tequila when you’re dressed.”

“No testosterone, Katie. Not even a male dog,” Liv called after her.

She eyed the fluffy comforter one more time before unzipping her suitcase and digging out her suit. Maybe just one shot of tequila, and then she’d make her excuses and go straight to bed.

As soon as Liv settled into a lounge chair on the deck, she changed her mind.

The late afternoon sun washed over her, blanketing her in warmth. She’d expected the humidity to be oppressive this time of year. High season didn’t start until November. This part of Mexico had a reputation for extreme humidity, mosquitos, and massive downpours during the summer months, and it wasn’t even October yet. But Liv felt like she’d slipped into a warm, fragrant bath. Her entire body began to relax.

She breathed a sigh of relief. For all her worries about Katie’s lifestyle and the craziness that surrounded Puerto Vallarta, this condo seemed like the perfect hideout. It was far enough out of town that it was peaceful. Serene.

From where she sat, Liv could see miles of pristine sand in both directions interrupted only by the occasional rock jetty and the endless blue sea before her. Other than the random call of a seagull and the rhythm of the crashing waves, it was quiet.

Katie slipped a tall shot glass with a tiny handle into her hand, filled to the rim with a liquid so colorless it looked like water.

“Thanks. I think.” Liv slid her sunglasses on and gazed out into the cornflower blue of the sky, focusing on the few wispy clouds fading to orange near the horizon. If she closed her eyes, the rhythmic roar of the ocean might even lull her to sleep.

“Don Julio Setenta,” Katie said from the lounge chair beside Liv’s, lifting up her shot glass. Her heart-shaped sunglasses covered more than half her face, and she had to raise them up with one hand as she brought the tequila to her nose with the other. She sniffed and sighed as if she were breathing in a freshly baked cinnamon roll. “That’s Spanish for seventy. Most awesome tequila ever.”

Liv stifled a giggle. Between the shades, the wide floppy hat, and her tequila snobbery, Katie had quite the dramatic flair going on.

“No lime?” Liv sniffed at her glass, reluctant to take that first sip.

The last time she’d done shots with Katie, they’d licked salt from their hands first and shoved a wedge of lime between their teeth after. And that had barely made it palatable. Still, tequila was their go-to drink back when she or Katie had man trouble in school.

Tequila Therapy. That’s what they’d called it. But Liv would have to hold her breath and swallow fast. She hated the stuff.

“Nope. This is sipping tequila. You’ll love it.”

“I seriously doubt that.” Liv remembered all too well that scraping burn down her esophagus, and the buzz that hit all at once after she’d had a few too many. She took the tiniest of sips and waited for a burn that never came. Just a flash of heat that didn’t suck at all. “Not bad. I’m impressed. Is this what adult tequila tastes like?”

Katie glanced over at her and smiled, her cheeks pushing up those red frames. “It’s what expensive tequila tastes like, goofball.” She raised her glass again. “Now shut up and drink.”

“What’s the hurry? You trying to get me drunk? Because, you know, I am single again.”

“Tempting.” Katie wiggled her eyebrows. “But no, just loosening you up so you’ll talk. Spill it. You’ll feel better.”

Liv frowned. She wasn’t at all sure of that. She didn’t even want to think about the last few weeks, let alone relive them in excruciating detail. “There’s not that much to tell.”

But she was here, in Katie’s home, in another country, because she’d so badly needed an escape hatch from her life. There wasn’t much point in arguing. She downed her Don Julio and gestured for Katie to pour her another.

Liv drew in a deep breath. She’d planned to give the briefest summary of what went down. But once she got started, she couldn’t stop herself from delving into every horrific detail. Not just the image of Grant and Jillian she couldn’t manage to unsee, but the way she’d plastered her hand over her mouth to stifle the sound of her shocked gasp. How she’d backed out of the room silently while every fiber of her being was screaming at her to make them painfully aware of her presence—to pull them apart, to punch Jillian in the face, and to pummel Grant in the nuts until he couldn’t use them again.

As usual, she’d been too afraid of making a scene. Especially at work.

She didn’t even mention the aftermath to Katie. The part where Jillian pranced right past her desk and Grant came to sit on the edge and talk to her as if nothing had happened, asking what she was working on so late. Not wanting to call attention to herself while people were still milling about the office, she’d clenched her jaw and waited to get him home alone before calling him out.

Katie raised her sunglasses, and Liv saw the moisture swimming in her eyes. Seeing Katie anything but bubbly was a rarity. “What a complete jackhole. You deserve so much better than that.” She sat up and set her tequila on the small table next to her. “Do not keep quiet about this. You need to make him pay. Ooh. Do it on camera. Destroy his whole stupid career!”

Liv wiped the tears from her cheeks with both hands. “Yeah, about that part…” She swallowed, not sure if she was ready to go there yet. “No one believes me,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.