My Despicable Ex - Book 2 by Sierra Rose Page A

said, as if she was imagining it. “Talk about amazing views.”
    “ Nadia!”
    “ C’mon, Ashly. Jake will always be Jake.”
    “ Well, it kinda sucks being with him at all these fantastic locations we talked about visiting. It’s like going on the trip of a lifetime with the jerk of a lifetime.”
    “ Are you at least on speaking terms?”
    “ We weren’t at first, but we’re talking now.”
    “ I’ve got a fabulous idea,” she squealed.
    “ What?”
    “ Why not enjoy your vacation? Let your hair down and relax in all that tropical ambiance. I’ve got work covered, and you’re visiting all the places you’ve ever wanted to go. Why not just put aside the anger, bitterness, and resentment and just be his friend? Go have fun. Go swim with dolphins, collect seashells on the beach, and visit the Tiki bar. You’ve gotta try mai tais and zombie cocktails. I’ve heard they’re fabulous.”
    I sighed. “That would mean forgiving him.”
    “ Yes, forgiving him,” she snapped, “and moving on with your life.”
    “ I’ll think about it,” I said.
    “ That’s all I’m asking.”
    We talked for another hour, and I told her about all my experiences, from the wonderful to the scary. She said she almost peed herself when I told her about the lions outside our tent.
    Back in the hotel room, Jake had a surprise waiting for me. He’d made a special picnic, all spread out on a red-and-black-checkered blanket, right by the window so we could look out at the twinkling Tokyo skyline. Hundreds of buildings and skyscrapers were transformed into a million glittering lights, literally taking my breath away.
    “ This is the perfect,” I said in awe, with my long towel draped over my shoulders.
    “ Dinner is served,” he said, motioning to the feast on the floor.
    I wrapped my towel around me and sat down. “Good. I’m starving.”
    “ I was hoping you didn’t already grab something to eat.”
    “ I was going to, but I was too tired to go anywhere, so I was just gonna order room service. This is way better.”
    He smiled proudly.
    “ We always talked about having a picnic in our hotel room, but I thought it was supposed to be in Paris.”
    “ It was, but I was afraid if I did it there, you’d take it wrong and think I was trying to seduce you. As you can see, there’s nothing romantic here—not even one lit candle. We’re just a couple of old friends having a little fun and enjoying a big bucket of chicken.”
    “ You even got my favorite side dishes, macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes—and in Tokyo! Thank you, Jake.”
    “ You’re welcome.”
    “ This looks so delicious.” I looked up and smiled. “You’ve outdone yourself.”
    “ Don’t say that,” he said, winking. “I’m full of surprises.”
    I smiled. “That you are.”
    “ I just wanted to do something special, something we could connect to. Does it bring back any memories?”
    I sipped my drink. “We ate so much fried chicken, almost every single weekend. We kept Colonel Sanders in business!” A laugh escaped my lips. “I can’t believe we never got sick of it.”
    “ My brother used to bring it home for us after his shift.”
    “ Yeah, and he always made those stupid remarks about free breasts and thighs.” I laughed.
    “ Do you know what tonight is?”
    “ Saturday,” I said, a smile growing across my lips. “You’ve reenacted our Saturday night tradition.”
    “ I’m glad you’re not mad. I had this vision of you throwing all the chicken at me.”
    I swallowed hard and recalled Nadia’s wise advice. “I’m sorry I’ve been so cold to you lately. I’ve been so grumpy, and—”
    “ Spiteful, hurtful—”
    I let out a sigh and held up my hand and cut him off. “I’ve been a real bitch to you, Jake. I know this has to be awkward for you too, so I’m so sorry.”
    “ I apologize too.”
    “ It’s just…well, I’m trudging through a whirlwind of emotions. I feel like such an idiot.”
    “ Truce?” he