“If it’s meant to be, it won’t,” she encourages me. “Remember how much shit Patterson and I went through? Granted, you’re dealing with global political powers, but that doesn’t mean anything. Are you happy?”
The question lingers for a few moments.
“Yes. Very.”
“Follow that,” she offers. “It will never steer you wrong.”
“I’m trying to be a believer, but it’s so hard when everything feels against us,” I explain. “His sister says to have faith.”
“Do you trust her?” Kendall asks.
“Absolutely,” I admit. “I do. It’s like she gets it.”
Kendall goes quiet for so long that I check my screen to make sure the call didn’t drop. Finally, she releases a long breath. “I support you, bestie. Tell me how I can help you. Is there anything I can do?”
“Walk me off the edge,” I tell her.
“Talk,” Kendall says.
“My biggest fear is that this could turn into an even bigger scandal than it already is. He’s already under enough pressure,” I say.
“I can imagine. He has a pretty large fan club over here right now.”
“Ugh.” I plop down on the couch and close my eyes. “Why do I always want the men the entire world wants?”
She laughs. “You were meant to be a princess—that’s all. Buthonestly, what’s the endgame? The two of you keep sneaking around until he’s forced to pick a princess. Then he does, and you get so jealous that you can’t handle it, then fly home with your heart shattered into a million pieces. I don’t want your heart to get broken. That’s the only thing that concerns me.”
“Please tell me I’m stupid or how bad of an idea this is.” I laugh, but it sounds empty. “I’ve never felt this way before.”
“It’s not dumb,” she says, and I wish she could see my face. “True love is worth it. I want you to have that, bestie.”
“I want that too,” I say, nearly in tears. “It’s magical. A simple look, and I’m a puddle on the floor. It’s invisible foreplay.”
“Was that you who spoke a big game that you were immune to him? I should’ve bet you,” she says. “I’d be one thousand dollars richer right now.”
The train screeches again, and I wait for the noise to pass before responding.
I smile. “To be fair, have you seen him? Louis is hot. Sexy. Arrogant. Exactly my type. And he obsessively wants me, thinks I’m smart, pretty, and says all the right things.”
“As a professional fuckboy would. These are those tricks, Addy. Are you sure you’re not being played?”
“Positive. Also, thank you for not agreeing with me. I need skepticism, too, because I’ve never felt this way before. It’s a mindfuck in every way.”
“Okay, let’s summarize so I can help the best I can,” Kendall says, and I can hear her shifting into problem-solving mode. “You’re basically in love with him, and he’s being forced to marry someone else.”
“Not to mention, I have to win the painting competition to stay here so that marriage doesn’t happen. Oh, and if anyone finds out about us at any point, it will be an international scandal,” I say.
“Oh, fun,” she admits.
“Thanks a lot!” I tell her with a laugh.
“Patterson will lose his mind if he finds out about this through a blind item. Like, he will be a full psycho. He has not stopped talking about how he will fuck Louis up if he touches you. I almost feel sorry for Louis.”
“It’s not going to get out,” I confirm, knowing we have to do a betterjob of being concealed. “But please promise me you won’t say anything to him.”
She sighs so heavily that I can feel it through the phone. “Fine. I promise. But you owe me every single detail because I’m heavily invested, and this is better than reality TV.”
“Deal. But I can’t tell you everything.” I glance at the covered canvases of Louis in the corner.
