More Than His Soulmate

When I was seven months pregnant, my husband's so-called soulmate, Sloane Gallo, invited us to a villa party on Lake Washington.

The sun was setting, so I sat under an awning, quietly scrolling through my phone.

Suddenly, Sloane sauntered over and plopped herself right onto my husband Wayne Ashworth's lap. "Come on, do a body shot off me! And don't just stick to my navel this time. Go lower."

For a moment, I wondered if I had misheard.

My husband, Wayne, casually grabbed a bottle of tequila and, without hesitation, started pouring it on her stomach. "You're so tiny. Gives me more to explore. Slow and steady wins the race, right?"

Sloane playfully tapped him on the chest. "Oh, please. Weren't you the one complaining my tan line was uneven last time?"

The other men started whistling and whooping.

As Wayne buried his face below her navel, his eyes flickered toward me for a split second. But Sloane grabbed his hair and shoved his head further down.

"Don't worry, Cora. We've done this a million times. It's just a game. No reason to get jealous."

I gave a cold smile and turned away to look up the number for a divorce lawyer.

I wasn't jealous. But they were both going to pay.

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1

Seeing no reaction from me, Sloane rested her hand on Wayne's shoulder, a smug smile curling her lips.

"Women are all the same. They say they don't mind, but their eyes always betray them." She waved her hand dismissively. "Whatever. You can stop now."

But Wayne didn't stop. He glanced at me briefly before moving closer to Sloane. "Cora's about to pop. She can't keep up with your kind of fun right now."

Just then, Wayne's hand paused on Sloane's waist. A faint blush stained Sloane's cheeks. She shoved him away, trying to look annoyed. "Asshole! I asked for a body shot, not a free feel!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

"Sloane, didn't you grope Wayne's abs at the last party? He's just returning the favor!"

"This is hilarious! Didn't you say he's better with his fingers than half your toy collection? I think he's trying to prove it to you!"

A flush of heat rushed to my face, and my heart pounded in my chest. I’d always known Wayne had a “soulmate,” a close female friend. I just never imagined… this. That they’d crossed so many lines.

I shot up from my seat, trying my best to stay calm. The crude words echoed in my head, making my stomach churn.

Wayne's hand moved with purpose, drawing a soft moan from Sloane. Her body began to tremble slightly.

Wayne lifted her chin, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "That’s for giving Cora a hard time. A little lesson for you."

He only let go when Sloane pounded on his chest in protest. Then, he patted her on the hip and pushed her toward me. "Now, apologize to Cora, or the punishment continues."

Sloane pouted. "See? This is why you don't bring the wife," she complained. "Kills the whole vibe. Look how awkward it is now."

She put a hand on my shoulder and explained, "Wayne and I go way back. We know each other inside and out… every part of each other."

"If there was really something between us, do you think you would have ever married him? Don't overthink it. I wouldn't be with this jerk even if he were the last man on earth."

Sloane grinned, her tone laced with impatience. "Happy now?"

Suddenly, there was a sharp snap. Wayne had flicked Sloane's bikini strap, a teasing grin on his face. "Do I look like a petty man to you?"

Sloane gasped, then turned to me with a hint of triumph. She wrapped her arms around Wayne's neck and purred, "How many pairs of my panties have you ruined? Remember that time at your place, you made me try on a pair of hers? They were huge on me. I might as well have been naked!"