I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 39

By the time Zoe arrived at the Win Lounge, Nadia was already waiting.

Nadia was dressed in a sharp, tailored black blazer and a sleek pencil skirt that showed off her incredibly long legs.

A cigarette smoldered elegantly between her perfectly manicured fingers. She lifted her glass for a sip, leaving a faint, seductive smudge of lipstick on the rim.

"Nadia."

Zoe could barely recognize the fierce, stunning woman sitting in front of her.

Five years ago, they had been fresh-faced, naive college grads. Nadia's aura was now entirely intimidating.

Zoe sat down across from her, her eyes stinging with happy tears.

Nadia's expression didn't shift. She simply eyed her coldly.

A few minutes later, she crushed her cigarette into the ashtray and let out a harsh scoff.

"Ms. Lynd finally remembered I exist. What, did you get dumped?"

The biting, venomous sarcasm caught Zoe off guard.

Not only had Nadia's style changed, but her attitude was downright hostile.

"Nadia, what's wrong? We're best friends."

Zoe reached out to touch her arm, but Nadia pulled away, her face flashing with deep annoyance.

"Friends? You mean when I gave you the terrible idea to drug Hayden, covered for you to get into his bed, and then he blacklisted me from the entire legal industry for three whole years? He only lifted the ban two years ago.

And you, my 'best friend', didn't say a single word in my defense. When I was practically begging on the streets, where the hell were you?

Oh, right, you were off having his baby and playing Mrs. Thorne. But looks like you haven't had it easy either. It's been five years and he still hasn't publicly acknowledged you, and he's parading around with his dead brother's wife. Karma is a bitch, Zoe."

Every single word Nadia spat was like a dagger aimed straight for the heart.

"I slept with Hayden? Did you know that?"

Nadia was equally wasted, her beautiful eyes glassy and unfocused.

"I'm the biggest idiot on the planet. You told me to get you the drugs. The two of you had your fun, and I took the fall. Does he screw you every night? You obviously loved it—you had a kid with him! So why did you ruin my life?

Zoe, am I really your best friend? Five years. No calls, no texts. When I finally tracked you down, you told me to stay out of your life. You're a piece of work, and your husband is just as bad.

I was just a pawn in your twisted little marriage roleplay, wasn't I? How do you even have the nerve to ask me out for drinks? I must be a masochist to have actually shown up."

The two women clinked their glasses together and practically collapsed across the table.

"Nadia, what are you talking about? I don't understand a single word. I drugged Hayden? How is that possible? He was engaged to someone else! And I was dating Hunter! Your story is totally ridiculous. It absolutely wasn't me."

Despite being drunk, a small, stubborn part of Zoe's brain was still desperately clinging to logic.