“I’m getting married.”
I hung up before he could reply. I tossed my phone into my purse and rubbed my tired eyes. Hearing his voice had stirred up complicated feelings. I’d always thought I’d love him forever.
I never imagined I’d be telling him I was getting
<
11:01
41
Alex arrived half an hour later, also for a fitting.
“You seem distracted,” he observed. “Didn’t
sleep well?”
I shook my head. “No, just…wedding
preparations. It’s a little tiring.”
“They’re asking you about everything because
they think you want to control every detail. But
if you don’t, delegate. Focus on the key.
decisions and the outcome. Let others handle
the rest.”
“Can I do that?”
“Of course. Otherwise, being in charge would
be exhausting.” He smiled. “The same applies
to being the mistress of the Lancaster
household.”
“But I’m afraid I won’t do a good job.”
<
“They’re asking you about everything because
they think you want to control every detail. But if you don’t, delegate. Focus on the key.
decisions and the outcome. Let others handle
the rest.”
“Can I do that?”
“Of course. Otherwise, being in charge would be exhausting.” He smiled. “The same applies to being the mistress of the Lancaster
household.”
“But I’m afraid I won’t do a good job.”
He smiled. “Amy, you know, I attend every final interview for Lancaster Enterprises. We hire the best in the industry.”
I tilted my head, looking at him. “We may not
know each other that well yet, but I’m pretty confident in my judgment of character.”
Knowing he was trying to comfort me, I smiled. “Well, I appreciate your confidence, Mr.
Lancaster.”
“However…” he paused, a thoughtful
expression on his face. “Perhaps we should get
to know each other better before the wedding.”
The shop assistant handed me a tie, and I started knotting it for him, casually asking, “How do you suggest we do that?”
“It’s the weekend,” he considered. “How about
a movie?”
That evening, Alex sent me movie tickets and showtimes. Saturday night, he showed up in a hoodie and jeans, a surprisingly casual look that gave him a youthful air. Heads turned as we
walked down the street after the movie.
<
I’d worn sneakers for comfort, but my
shoelaces kept coming undone. The third time
it happened, I sighed and bent down to tie a
double knot. Someone beat me to it.
Alex crouched in front of me, his long fingers
deftly looping and knotting the laces with.
surprising skill. “There,” he said, standing up
with a smile. “That should hold.”
I blinked, wiggling my foot. They were tight.
“Uh, thanks.”
“Amy.”
My blood ran cold. I looked up, my heart
stopping.
Standing a short distance away was a familiar
figure.
Jason.
<
I’d spent enough time with him to recognize the
grim set of his jaw, even with a mask covering
his face. He strode towards us.
“This is…?” Alex looked at me.
“Jason. My…ex–boyfriend. I told you about him.”
Alex looked momentarily surprised, but quickly recovered, extending his hand with a polite smile. “Hello, Mr. Walker. I’m Amy’s fiancé, Alex Lancaster.”
The color drained from Jason’s face.
We sat across from each other in a coffee
shop. Minutes earlier, after our awkward. encounter on the street, Jason had insisted on talking to me privately. Alex, after getting my consent, had waited in the car.
“Still clumsy, I see,” Jason murmured. “Always
etrusalina with your chonlanan I taught you havi
<
struggling with your shoelaces. I taught you how
to tie them, remember?”
I was silent for a moment. “Jason, I used your
method, but they still came undone.”
“I used to…tie them for you.”
“Yes, you used to.” Later, he’d tied Sarah’s
shoelaces too. And then, I’d been tying my own.
“You’re making this fiancé up, aren’t you? Just
to get back at me?”
I shook my head. “I’m really getting married,
Jason.”
“I don’t believe you.” He stared at me, trying to
find a flicker of deception in my eyes.
I sighed.
After a long moment, a look of panic crossed
<
his face. “Amy,” he pleaded, gripping my hands.
across the table, “Sarah and I were just a
publicity stunt. I swear, I never crossed the line.
That day, she got soaked during filming, and
she lives far away, so I let her use my shower.
That’s all. I was angry that day, I said things I
didn’t mean. I didn’t explain. I really thought wel
were just fighting, like we always do. Didn’t you
want the lead role in that new movie? I talked to
the director, it’s yours. Amy, I’ve decided, after
this contract is up, I’m not doing any more fake
relationships. Let’s go public, okay? I’ll make
you the lead in all my movies, okay? Amy…” his
eyes reddened, “when we first got together, we
promised we wouldn’t
break up no matter what
happened, remember?”
We had.
I looked at him, the man I had loved deeply, the
man I’d bent over backward for, the man I’d
sacrificed so much for. But he was the one who
let go first. He’d enjoyed the thrill of the
<
almost–relationship with Sarah while basking in
my unwavering loyalty.
I slowly pulled my hands away. “Jason, I’m
getting married. I don’t want my future husband
to go through the pain I experienced. So
please,” I looked him directly in the eye, “don’t
contact me again. I’ve left the entertainment
industry. Acting was just a hobby. If I really
wanted to be a lead actress, my brother could
arrange it in a heartbeat. I just don’t want to do
it that way.”
“Your brother?” He looked confused.
“It doesn’t matter.” I shook my head. I’d
planned to take him home to meet my brother
when we went public. I’d wondered if he’d be
shocked to learn I was the Sterling heiress. But
now, none of it mattered.
“I loved you, Jason. So I want to end this with
some dignity.” I took out my phone and blocked
his number right in front of him. “No one knew
about our relationship. Let’s pretend we’re
strangers from now on.”
Back in the car, Alex was working on his laptop,
his profile sharp and focused. He closed the
laptop and turned to me as I got in.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t know he’d show up
here.”
