Midnight Heat (Firework Girls #2) by J. L. White

So...”
    Ashley let’s her sentence trail off and takes a deep breath.
    “As far as the whole...” she gives me an uncomfortable look, “... sharing the same guy thing, knowing Sam, the damage has probably already been done.”
    I groan and cover my face with my hands again. Oh god, the thought of them together literally hurts. And let me tell you, I’ve been down this road before when that bastard Brad cheated on me. But the thought of Grayson with Sam... I pinch my eyes against the mental image that springs unwanted to my mind.
    “What do I do?” I groan. “I have no idea what to do.”
    It’s quiet for a moment, then Ashley says gently, “I think this comes down to you and whether you can... handle this or not.”
    I look at her and she shrugs sympathetically.
    “If you can deal with it, you could just not say anything and it’ll all be over soon. She’ll probably be sick of him by week’s end anyway. I was kinda shocked she even agreed to the full five days.”
    I nod. It’s a whole lot of one guy for Sam’s taste.
    “But,” Ashley says, “if you can’t handle it, just tell her. She’ll send him packing.”
    I sigh. Sam would, if I said something. But I don’t know if I can tell her. Do I really want that kind of thing going down during Isabella’s wedding? And is it fair to rob Sam of her plans when, let’s face it, I blew it with Grayson a long time ago? It’s not like I’m trying to claim territorial rights. He’s not mine to claim and never was. Right? What right have I to be selfish about it when, like Ashley said, the damage has already been done. It feels selfish to ruin Sam’s week (not to mention Isabella’s) just because of my drama.
    But, a little dark corner of myself admits, I selfishly don’t want to tell her, because if I tell her she’ll send him away and I don’t want him to go. As fucked up as that is, this tiny, horrible part of me can’t bear the thought of him leaving.
    But can I bear the thought of him staying, and all that implies?
    I sigh. “What would you do?” I ask.
    Ashley absently runs her hand down her long braid, bringing it in front of her shoulder and playing with the end. “I don’t know. This is a tough one. But... you know, it’s too late to avoid the ick factor. I think since he’s really not that important to either one of you, I’d maybe just let it slide. But Chloe, it really does come down to what you think you can handle. You’re the one who’s going to have to deal with it.”
    I sit there for a while, debating with myself. The one thing I’d like to do—go back in time and make this not happen—isn’t really an option. So either I tell Sam (not appealing) or I suck it up and just try to get through the weekend (also not appealing).
    The longer I sit there, the more I come down from the initial shock and the more I think I might need to just keep my mouth shut. Sam didn’t do anything wrong. Why should she have to suffer? And Grayson is clearly no longer an option for me either, no matter how much I may regret that fact. While I haven’t dated or been interested in dating anyone because I haven’t been able to get him out of my system yet, he’s obviously moved on. Do I really want to yank the rug out from underneath him once again? How callous would that be?
    I glance out my window. The grassy grounds are covered with flowers and Bird of Paradise bushes and softly swaying palms. The sea beyond is glittering yellow in the late afternoon sun.
    “It’s Isabella’s wedding,” I say finally. “I’m not going to risk ruining it. And we’re here in this amazing place that I’ve really been looking forward to enjoying.” I give Ashley a weak smile. “I’ll let them have their fun and I’ll try to have mine.”
    “Good for you,” she says, patting my knee.
    “But... tomorrow.” I don’t think I can handle dinner with everyone. I’m just going to order room service, binge watch some cooking shows, and get myself geared up