Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 67510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
I felt myself about to break down, so conflicted with what he was saying. My mind processed it, but my heart screamed for me not to believe a word of it.
“You need to go.”
“Bailey.”
“I’m serious. I need you to leave now.”
I peered around for Aires, but he was nowhere in sight. Nobody could see us. We were too far away from the party. It was why I chose this spot. My stomach was in knots, and I felt like I was going to throw up. A sadness washed over me, and for a brief second, I let myself forget who I was. My smile sank, along with my heart.
It all felt so fake and phony, every word he ever said to me. Messing with all my sudden insecurities about everything I said to him. With a heavy sigh, I stood on business.
“I can’t believe you’d drop this on me right now. Now leave.”
Robert sighed deeply but did as I ordered. Capri didn’t break eye contact with me for a few steps, her sympathy spilling out of her. I don’t know how long I stood there when I felt Aires come up behind me.
Before he could say anything to me.
Before he could touch me.
Before…
Before…
Before…
I searched for the truth, silently praying it was all a lie.
I whipped around, stopping him dead in his tracks with our drinks in his hands.
“Did you sign this?”
He took one look at his contract in my grasp, and he didn’t have to tell me. I could already see it in his gaze.
“Bay—”
“Did you sign this contract that says…” It killed me to say it, and I held my stomach. “Per terms and conditions, Nicholas Aires III must pursue Bailey Pierce-McGraw in a romantic manner in order to hype up B. Night’s movie Say You Love Me.”
He winced, not trying to hide it.
“Not limited to kissing, dating, fucking,” I roared, slamming his contract on his chest.
Aires
For some reason, my stare shifted to her agent and publicist.
“Robert!” I hollered. “You running away from me?”
He halted his steps and turned his ass around to stomp back toward us with Capri tight on his heels. If he wanted to play with fire, then I’d give him a fucking explosion. He didn’t miss a beat, getting right in my face. I didn’t back down. I stood taller, letting him know I wouldn’t go down without a hell of a fight.
I hated that this had to go down at Bailey’s great-grandparents’ anniversary, but he left me no choice in the matter. I had to defend myself. I couldn’t lose her.
I wouldn’t.
I’d make it right with whatever I had to do.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” I clenched out.
“I’m not the man who’s using Bailey.”
“I beg to differ.”
It was Bailey’s distraught tone that tore my attention to her.
“How could you do this to me?”
“Bay, you know me better than that.”
I could physically feel her inner turmoil, and it was enough to bring me to my knees for her. She had to believe me.
“Do you honestly think I’d be using you? You think I could hurt you that much?”
Silence.
“Bay, I never told you about the contract because it didn’t matter to me. I was always going to try to get you back in my life. I love you.”
Still not a word.
I grabbed her hands. “You know me, Bay. You know I wouldn’t hurt you.”
Her resolve was breaking, and she finally asked, “Were you ever going to tell me?”
I bowed my head.
“That’s what I thought. How do you expect me to trust you after this?”
I nodded, knowing she was right. “I’m so sorry, Bailey. I’ll never keep something from you again.”
“Oh, come on, Bailey!” Robert argued. “You can’t believe him! It was his own agent’s idea to add that stipulation to the contract. His team wants to use you as much as he does. Stop falling for it.”
“Robert,” Capri scolded. “You should be ashamed of yourself. You know damn well that man cares for her. Look at him. All you have to do is look at him to know how much he loves her.”
To have Capri going to bat for me meant a lot.
“Bay…” I kissed her knuckles. “Trust me. I wouldn’t have taken the fall for you if I just wanted to use you.”
“That was probably your plan all along, asshole. I wouldn’t put it past you to have come up with this scheme before you saw her at that party. How you’ve been stalking her?”
I ignored Robert, focusing only on her, or I’d knock him out, and I wasn’t certain I still wouldn’t. Fuck that snake.
“I’m here, aren’t I? With you, for you. Everything he’s saying is all bullshit! You want to talk about more truths?” I questioned, eyeing her up and down. “How about this one?”
She frowned.
“I know every smile that spreads on your face, every laugh that flows from your mouth, every emotion you feel just by looking into your eyes.”