Page 24 of Anti Player

“I like all the pink accents.” I smile.

“That was my daughter, Syd. Well, she’s my stepdaughter but I feel like she’s mine,” Ellie explains. “Connor was a single dad and he let her decorate the apartment.”

“That is completely adorable,” I gush. “If I told Asher to decorate my apartment, I think it would be all blue with pictures of the planets. He has a thing for astronomy,” I explain.

“Sweet,” Ellie replies. “Take a seat and make yourself at home. Should I make you a chamomile tea?”

“That would be great, but I can come with you to the kitchen.”

Ellie places her purse on the dining table and I follow her to the kitchen. She starts the kettle and leans against the counter.

“What’s going on? I know we don’t know each other all that well, but I’m a good listener. Connor and Syd went to a movie together so it’s only us here, and I’m really good at keeping secrets,” she says.

I liked her when I dropped off the cake, but seeing how she cares makes me like her more.

I don’t have any good friends, so it feels good to have someone to talk to.

“After we served the party a bunch of the servers went to go change. I went to the restroom, and I was in a stall with the door closed when I heard one of the girls talking. She was talking about Kaleb. I know that he’s met her for coffee. Then she started to talk about my brother and made a whole bunch of crass comments,” I explain. I’m obviously not going to tell Ellie Kaleb’s personal business. “Basically, she’s using him for his status or maybe even his money, and it just made me sick. I grew up with Kaleb,” I explain.

“Wow, some girls have no shame,” Ellie says. “Connor gets picked up all the time. Right before our wedding day, a server offered him no-strings-attached sex after he told her he was getting married.” She shakes her head.

“That’s insane. Don’t people have morals?” I snicker. “I mean I just caught my own boyfriend cheating on me, so I should have the answer to that question.”

“I’m sorry, damn,” Ellie says. “People can be jerks.”

The water in the kettle is boiling so Ellie pours me the tea. I’m still upset but not shaking as bad as I was.

“I feel like I should tell Kaleb what I heard, but I also don’t know if it’s my place to intervene,” I confess.

“That depends,” Ellie says.

“She’s using him because he’s rich and she’s wanting to become Mrs. Bardot.” I roll my eyes.

“If I were dating someone who wanted me just because of my money, I would want to know,” she states.

I take a sip of my tea.

She’s right. I know she is. I just feel weird going to him about this because I’ve had feelings for him ever since I can remember,and I feel like I’m not impartial but I know what I heard and Ellie is right.

“Yeah, I would want to know too. I had a friend in Jersey who knew Nathan was cheating and she didn’t tell me. It would’ve been better for her to clue me in than find out the way I did.” I sigh.

Ellie rubs my back. “That sounds awful, but you’re here in New York City now. We can find you a new man,” she says, her lips tugging up in the corners.

“Oh no. I’ve sworn off men. I’m done,” I state, and then I take a gulp of tea since it’s not so hot anymore.

“Um, how old are you? If you don’t mind me asking,” Ellie asks, giving me a pointed look.

“Twenty-five, but I’m an old twenty-five. That’s what happens when you have a five-year-old at my age,” I explain.

“Oh, I know all about you young single parents. I’m married to one now. Connor is the epitome of responsible when it comes to Syd, but I also know you can’t give up on love,” Ellie advises.

“I already have,” I reply. “I’ve got a problem. I fall too fast and too hard. I only see the good. I don’t see the red flags and there are always red flags. I clearly attract a type and they aren’t good guys.”

“So, you’ve had some bad luck.”

“It’s more than that. I fall fast too. I can’t control it. I have to just realize that I need to stop dating. I have a kid and he’s my world. I’ll focus on me and Asher,” I declare with a pointed nod.

“It’s all good to focus on you and I’m here for that. I honestly didn’t date anyone for a very, very long time. Like an embarrassing amount of time, and then I met Connor. I kind of couldn’t control my feelings for him. They just happened. So I get the falling hard and fast business, but it’s not always a bad thing.”