I rode to the airport alone. I sent Alexis a text message as we left Hudson’s cottage.

I'm coming home. Alone. Don't ask.

I thought the driver would say something to me, about how he felt bad, or to have a nice trip, but he didn't. Just another reminder that everyone worked for Hudson James; none of us were actually involved with him. He had even told me himself that he didn't have any real friends. Now, I understood why. I did a couple shots on the plane, so I would fall asleep quickly. I didn't want to think about him the whole flight back. About how my chest hurt, or how I felt like I couldn't breathe without him near me. There was something about him that had drawn me in so quickly, and made me want to be around him. But now that I knew how easily he could hurt me, and that it had all been fake, I couldn't imagine having fallen so quickly for him. When the flight landed, there was a car for me, but I told them I would find my own way home. I didn't need any more of Hudson's favors. I didn't want to feel like I owed him anything.

I dialed Alexis's number and asked her for help instead. “Hey, it's me.”

“Hey! How was the trip?”

“It was great, for a while. But now I just need some Jack, Coke, and Ben & Jerry's. My three favorite men.”

“You still at the airport?”

“Yup. Bring the boys with you. I’m starting in the car.”

“Got it.”

She got to the airport about half an hour later, and she had a sports drink bottle and some chunky monkey with a plastic spoon. True best friend right there; doesn't ask questions, just does what she needs to. I didn't say anything on the ride home. Actually, I hardly remember getting up the steps, or into my apartment. But when I woke up the next morning, my bag was next my bed, and Alexis was sitting in a chair across the room.

“Morning, sunshine.”

“Don't scream. It hurts my head.” Awesome. Just what I needed, a fucking hangover on top of a broken heart.

“Calla, you have to tell me what happened. There is some shit on the news about Hudson going away with some girl. And in the Entertainment section of the Boston Globe, your picture is everywhere.”

“My picture?”

She nodded. “Apparently, he's never taken a girl to his house in France before. You’ve become this international reality celebrity mystery.”

“Oh, shit.”

“You guys look really happy, though. How did it go downhill so fast?”

“Hell if I know. I thought we were having a great time, and then I find out that the only reason that he brought me there was to ask me questions about the judge, and to see if I was actually telling the truth about that night. He played me, Alexis. He saw some poor girl that he thought he could use to get ahead with the district attorney. And he was so right.”

She came over and sat on the edge of the bed. I could tell that she was trying not to let all of her weight go down at once, knowing it would make me puke. She rubbed my arms slowly. “I'm so sorry, Calla. I know how much you liked him. I could hear it in your voice as you were leaving. I can't believe he did this.”

“I can. He tried to warn me about what kind of guy he was, but I didn't want to hear it.” I slowly sat up because the room was spinning. “So, tell me what's all over the news?”

She sighed. “They're mostly just talking about this mystery girl with Hudson James in the South of France. So far, nobody knows your name. But you also might want to go out into the living room, and see what else is here.”

“Something’s here?”

“Yeah. You should just go look.”

I pushed myself out of bed with my arms and shuffled over to my door. The room wasn’t very large, but by the time my hand reached the handle, I felt like I'd run a marathon. Hello Jack and Coke, you treat me well the night of, but the next morning you’re a killer. I slowly opened the door, slightly afraid of what might be waiting for me. But I was met with a view of absolute beauty.

The entire apartment was filled with white flowers.

All types of flowers: roses, daisies, Calla lilies. There were potted plants, hanging plants, and bouquets. The entire flower shop must've been cleared out to get them here. “What the hell?”

Alexis came up behind me. “They're all from him. Every single one. Four different flower shops have been here so far this morning, and, considering he hasn't filled up your room yet, I would say there's probably at least another one on it’s way.”

I reached into a bouquet of roses, and pulled out the card that was attached. In print it said:

I'm sorry. Hudson

I turned around, and on a potted plant of tulips, there was another card with a similar message.

Forgive me. Hudson

I shook my head. “I don’t want to see all of this, Alexis. I don't want to hear his excuses and his lies. Because that's all he really is, a damn liar.” I dropped the cards on the floor, turned around, and walked back into my room. I fell back onto the bed, and let the pillows absorb my sobs.