Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
I swiped at the tear that streaked down my cheek. “Okay. If that’s what you want.”
He opened his mouth like he was going to deny it but then snapped it shut.
I stepped forward and drew him into a hug. After a second, he relented and wrapped his arms around me. I knew this was good-bye. And as much as I hated saying it, I was lucky to even get this moment with him.
We lived two different lives. I couldn’t have it both ways.
I pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I’ll always be here if you need me.”
Then, I walked out the door and drove back to Atlanta.
25
NEW YORK CITY
JULY 23, 2015
“I can’t believe you insisted that I work with you,” Amelia said.
“Hey, I’m always here to help out hometown girls.”
I’d run into Amelia Ballentine when I was being fitted for a Teen Choice Award the previous year. I had no idea that she worked for Cunningham Couture after graduating from Parsons. When we’d discovered our Savannah connection, we’d become fast friends. With the Emmys coming up in a few short weeks, I’d reached back out to have her dress me. I was up for Best Actress, and I wanted something innovative and incredible.
“Sometimes, I think about going back,” she admitted.
I arched an eyebrow at her in the mirror as she pinned my dress for alterations. “Really? To Savannah? What would you do there?”
“I don’t know. Open up my own boutique.”
“And give up high fashion?”
She shrugged. “It’s just a thought. I hate being away from home, especially since my brother is back in Savannah.”
My expression soured. Derek and Marley were currently on the outs after he’d been a total ass when they were at Harvard. As much as I liked him for her, they were a toxic mess. They needed to grow up and out of it. Until then, I’d continue to dislike him.
“I know. I know,” Amelia said with a laugh, standing to survey her handiwork. “He was a jerk to Marley. But he’s dating someone new now, and she’s awful. I need to be there to guide him away from that train wreck. I’d much prefer Marley. Trust me.”
I laughed. “Wouldn’t we all?”
“Well, what do you think?” Amelia asked. “It fits you like a glove.”
“You’re a genius.”
The dress was phenomenal. As green as my eyes and the perfect silk masterpiece. I loved every inch of it.
“I can’t wait to see you on the red carpet in it. If you don’t mind me saying, Martin Harper is going to realize how much of an idiot he is.”
I laughed. “I don’t mind that at all.”
Martin and I were in the middle of a mutual but generally messy divorce. It was a long time coming, if I was honest. In fact, all of it should be final any day now. I was just waiting for him to sign his stupid name on the paperwork.
“And you know how I feel about him,” Amelia said with a wink.
“Ah yes, didn’t we all grow up loving him?”
I had no malice toward Martin. He’d been the man of my dreams before I really knew him. I couldn’t blame him for not living up to the hype. But I was going to split our assets fifty-fifty and get the fuck out as fast as I could. We still had to work together on Academy, but it couldn’t be worse than filming this last season in the midst of our divorce.
“What about you?”
“What about me?” Amelia asked, gesturing for me to step out of the dress.
“Any lucky man for you?”
She shook her head. “Nah. I was dating a guy for a while who helped me get this job, but he was … not a good guy. Anyway, he’s engaged to someone else now.”
“And no new men in your life?”
“I’ve gone on dates, but they’re all so … northern.”
I cackled at that assessment as I pulled my dress back on. “You want a Southern gentleman?”
“I can’t help but love them.” She winked at me.
“Someone like … Ash Talmadge?” I guessed. She’d mentioned him to me a few times over the last couple years, and she knew exactly what I thought about him. But in those conversations, I could gather exactly what she thought about him.
She startled anyway. “Um … uh …”
“It’s all right. He’s single right now, isn’t he?”
Lila was back with Cole, which I personally thought was good for her. Not that it stopped her from swinging between the boys like a pendulum.
“He … is,” Amelia admitted. “But I’ve known him my whole life, he’s my brother’s best friend, and … I don’t know if he’ll really ever get over her.”
That I did know.
“Good. You can do better,” I said, and she laughed.
“I like the way you make things seem so simple.” Amelia gathered up the dress. “I should have this ready for you in a week or two. In time for your show.”