The Affair

Chapter 18

Maddie pushed her plate forward, brushing her hands together with finality. “Alright, enough of this depressing ex talk. You know what we need?” She grinned at Kendra. “A girls’ night at The Club.”

Kendra sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Maddie…”

Maddie crossed her arms. “Nope. Don’t even try to argue. You need a night to let loose, dance, drink, and remind yourself that you’re a hot, independent badass who does not need Jake or any other man messing with your head.” She leaned in with a teasing smirk kissing Kendra on the nose. “Unless, of course, you want to prove Mark over there right and keep pining over your cheating ex.”

Kendra exhaled sharply, rolling her eyes before a smirk tugged at her lips. “Fine.”

Maddie clapped her hands together. “Hell yes! Let’s go get ready.”

The girls got up, disappearing into the house to change.

The moment they were gone, Mark turned to Rebecca, his gaze sharp. “You really think she should give that guy a second chance?”

Rebecca sighed, taking a sip of her wine. “Mark, she dated him for three years. That’s the longest relationship she’s ever had. That has to mean something.”

Mark scoffed, crossing his arms. “Yeah, it means he knew exactly how to manipulate her. There’s something more to the story—I could see it in her face.”

Rebecca frowned. “I told you, Kendra has… issues when it comes to relationships. She doesn’t let people in easily. Maybe Jake was the only one who got through to her.” She set down her glass and gave Mark a knowing look. “Maybe he’s the one who can fix her.”

Mark clenched his jaw. “Fix her?” He shook his head in disbelief. “Rebecca, she’s not broken. And even if she was, Jake is not the guy to put her back together.”

Rebecca chuckled softly and leaned in, placing a light kiss on his cheek. “I love that you care about her already. It really means a lot to me that you want what’s best for her.” She smiled warmly. “You’re going to be a great stepfather.”

Mark went rigid. A sharp, uncomfortable pain twisted in his chest.

That wasn’t why he felt this way.

It wasn’t parental instinct that made his stomach churn at the thought of Jake touching Kendra again.

It was something else entirely.

After what felt like an eternity, the sound of heels clicking against the tile announced the girls’ return.

Mark turned his head, and the moment his eyes landed on Kendra, his breath caught in his throat.

She was stunning.

She wore a black, form-fitting skirt that hugged her curves perfectly, paired with a long-sleeved lace crop top that left just enough to the imagination while accentuating every dangerous dip and curve of her body. The delicate lace clung to her arms and chest, teasing at the smooth skin beneath. Her toned stomach was on full display, a stark contrast against the dark fabric.

Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun, but loose strands cascaded around her face in an effortless, sultry way. And her makeup—dark liner making her eyes more striking, lips glossed with a soft sheen—put her beauty into full force, making her look both untouchable and entirely too tempting.

A sharp whistle came from the pool.

Ethan’s friends shifted under the water, whispering amongst themselves, eyes glued to Kendra as they adjusted uncomfortably.

Mark clenched his jaw.

Kendra, completely unfazed, tossed a casual glance over at him and her mother. She lifted her chin slightly, her confidence radiating as she adjusted her clutch under her arm. “Don’t wait up.”

Mark’s jaw tightened further.

Before he could say anything, Kendra’s eyes flicked back to him, a playful smirk curving her lips. And then—just to twist the knife deeper—she winked.

Heat shot through Mark’s body, his pulse quickening.

Kendra turned on her heel, swaying her hips just enough to drive him mad as she walked toward the front door.

Mark exhaled sharply, gripping his beer bottle so tight he thought it might shatter.

Rebecca chuckled beside him. “She looks beautiful, doesn’t she?”

Mark didn’t trust himself to answer.

——————————-

The club was already alive by the time Kendra and Maddie arrived. The heavy bass of the music pulsed through the walls, vibrating in Kendra’s chest as they stepped inside. The air was thick with the scent of liquor, sweat, and expensive cologne, a haze of flashing neon lights cutting through the darkness.

Maddie grabbed Kendra’s hand, pulling her through the crowd toward the bar. “Two tequila shots!” she called over the music, tossing cash onto the counter.

Kendra smirked, shaking her head as she leaned her elbows against the bar. “Starting strong, huh?”

Maddie handed her a shot. “Damn right. You need to loosen up, forget about Jake, and have fun.”

Kendra rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. She threw back the shot, the burn igniting her throat, and slammed the glass down, licking the salt off the rim.

“That’s my girl,” Maddie laughed, looping her arm through Kendra’s. “Now let’s dance.”

They weaved through the crowd, bodies pressed together on the dance floor. The beat of the music was intoxicating, wrapping around Kendra like a spell. Maddie moved effortlessly, her black curls bouncing as she swayed, hands in the air.

Kendra let herself go, rolling her hips, letting the music take over.

It didn’t take long before men started circling, eyes locked onto them like prey.

A tall, dark-haired guy moved in, his hands hovering over Kendra’s hips as he swayed with her to the rhythm. “Did it hurt?” he shouted over the music.

Kendra shot him a questioning glance. “What?”

“When you fell from heaven,” he grinned.

Maddie groaned. “Oh, come on.”

Kendra laughed, shaking her head. “You can do better than that.”

The guy smirked. “Maybe, but I’m too busy watching you dance.”

Kendra felt the heat of his hands brushing against her waist. Normally, she’d eat up the attention, but tonight, it felt off. Her mind was somewhere else—someone else.

Someone with broad shoulders and a perfectly sculpted jaw. Someone who had gritted his teeth when she walked out of the house tonight. Someone whose pulse had spiked when she winked at him.

She pushed the thought away. Not tonight.

She turned to the guy, tilting her head. “Buy me a drink first.”

He grinned, taking her hand and leading her back toward the bar.

Maddie shot her a look but followed. “Oh, we are in trouble now.”

————————-

Mark sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing the back of his neck, his mind still fixated on Kendra. The image of her in that black lace outfit, the way she smirked at him before walking out the door—it was seared into his brain. His jaw clenched as he thought about where she was now, surrounded by guys, dancing, drinking.

Rebecca, already in bed, noticed his tension and sighed. “Mark, I know you’re bothered by all of this, but you have to let it go.”

His eyes flicked up to meet hers. “I just don’t think it’s smart for her to be giving Jake another chance, or throwing herself into the club scene just to prove a point.”

Rebecca smiled knowingly and shook her head. “You sound like a father.”

That hit harder than it should have. Mark exhaled, forcing himself to lean back against the headboard, running a hand through his damp hair.

“She’s exactly like her dad,” Rebecca continued, stretching out on her side to face him. “He was a typical Honduran—hot-blooded, high-tempered, passionate. You couldn’t tell him anything without a fight.” She chuckled softly, shaking her head at the memories. “It’s the same with Kendra. The more you try to control her, the harder she pushes back.”

Mark frowned. “So you’re just letting her make bad decisions?”

Rebecca sighed, propping her head up with her hand. “Her therapist told me a long time ago that all I can do is love her and support her, no matter what she chooses. She’s an adult, Mark. She’s gonna make mistakes, and yeah, some of them will hurt. But she has to learn on her own.”

Mark stared at the ceiling, her words sinking in. He understood what she was saying, but it didn’t sit right with him. The thought of Kendra out there, getting hurt—whether by Jake or some guy at the club—made his stomach tighten in a way he couldn’t explain.

“She’s going to fall in love,” Rebecca murmured, her voice softer now. “And she’s going to get her heart broken. And all I can do is be there when she needs me.”

Mark swallowed hard, the sharp pain in his chest returning. He didn’t want to think about Kendra falling in love. He didn’t want to think about her being with someone else.

Rebecca sighed, “Just trust her, Mark.”

Mark nodded numbly, but as he lay there in the dark, listening to Rebecca’s steady breathing, one thought refused to leave his mind.

Trust her?

The problem wasn’t trusting Kendra.

The problem was trusting himself.