Hell Hath No Fury

Part 15

Kim, Ruben and Amber went out to dinner to celebrate the end of Amber's relationship with Clay...and the end of his reign of terror over Kim.

"Free at last, free at last...Clay can kiss my free at last!" Kim laughed along with Ruben and Amber.

"Guys, thank you." Amber said. "Who knows what would have happened if you two hadn't come along."

"You would have married a rapist." Ruben said.

"True." She turned to Kim. "Kim...I'm so sorry that this happened to you."

"No, I should be the one apologizing to you, Amber. I didn't know what I was going to do or how I was going to tell you." Kim confessed. "I was so busy worrying about how you might react that I didn't care about anything else. I really wanted to tell you, believe me I did. But you looked so happy whenever Clay was mentioned. I couldn't break your heart like that. That's why I didn't tell you until today."

"Kim, it's all right. I forgive you." Amber said, giving her a hug.

"Thanks. But what you did today...what were you thinking, girl?"

Amber laughed. "I don't know what I was thinking honestly. All I know is that I was really angry at Clay for doing this to you and lying to me about it. I guess it all just came out in that outburst. I can't explain it any better than that."

"Don't worry about it, Amber." Ruben said. "The point is, it's over. You don't have to worry about him anymore...and neither does Kim."

"Ain't that the truth!"

They stayed and had fun for a while longer, until Amber had to leave.

"So what are you going to do now?" Ruben asked her.

"Well...I don't know. But I do know one thing. I'm going on a honeymoon."

"You are? But you didn't get married."

"I know. But I haven't gone on a vacation in a long time and I thought marrying Clay would be a good excuse for a vacation. But now that the relationship is over...I think I'm going to use that time to clear my mind and remember what's important in my life. And I know one thing that will always stay important..."

"What's that?" Kim asked.

"My friendship with you."

"Oh, Amber..." Kim said as they hugged.

When they parted, Ashleigh said, "I'd better go pack."

"When are you leaving?" Ruben asked.

"In a few hours."

"What?"

"Yeah, I know it's short notice...but you two have nothing to worry about. You've got each other." She turned to Ruben. "You take care of Kim while I'm gone, all right?"

"I sure will."

She went to her car...and saw something inside. She opened the door and took it out.

"Hey, Kim!" She called.

Kim turned around at the mention of her name.

"Think fast!" She called just before she tossed it over her shoulder.

Kim reached up and caught it easily. She was shocked to see what it was.

Amber's bouquet.

"I'll see you when I get back!" She called as she got in her car and drove off.

Ruben and Kim waved to her as her car drove out of sight.

"Well, well, well...looks like you caught the bouquet. You know what that means." Ruben teased.

"Yeah, I'm the next one to..." She trailed off. She looked at Ruben and blushed.

"What do you say, girl? Are we the next to walk down the aisle?" He asked.

"Well...considering everything I've been through recently...I don't think I'm ready to get married yet."

"That's fair. How about a continuous dating partner?"

"If you're asking me to be your girlfriend...you've got it."

They both smiled and walked back into the restaurant hand in hand.