@RowanCole spotted with girlfriend @LizzyCadeArtist & ex-flame @JustCarrieSouthern at last night’s Crane Gallery Gala. But wait a second, folks. A certain heartthrob doesn’t look too happy. Looks to me like @TheWalkerPrince was making amove on Rowan Cole’s newest girl! #lovingthedrama #love-triangle?
“Fuck me,” Rowan mutters over my shoulder.
But I can’t stop scrolling.
There are dozens of similar posts, some speculating that I’m just a cover for Rowan and Carrie’s rekindled romance, others suggesting I’m cheating on him with Walker.
“This is insane,” I say, feeling slightly nauseated.
Rowan sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Izzy. I didn’t think it would get so out of hand.”
“It’s whatever,” I say, still scrolling through the seemingly endless comments. Some are supportive, but many are... not. “I knew what I was signing up for.”
Did I, though? The reality of being linked to Rowan Cole—being thrust into this bizarre spotlight—is hitting me harder than I thought it would.
When I switch over to glance at my profile page, I almost drop my phone.
“Holy shit!”
“What?” Rowan leans over, shoulder pressing against mine.
“My... My followers...” I stammer, blinking rapidly to make sure I’m not hallucinating. “I had maybe a little over 8,000 yesterday? Now it’s...” I can barely get the words out. “…over 250,000.”
Letting out a low whistle, his lips curve into a satisfied smile. “Looks like a lot of people are interested in your art.”
“My art? Or as your girlfriend?” I shoot back, scrolling through the flood of new comments. Most are variations of“Who is she?”and“Are you really dating Rowan Cole?”with a disturbing number of“Back off, he’s mine!”thrown in for goodmeasure.
“Both,” he says, snatching my phone so he can scroll through the comments himself.
My phone buzzes with an incoming call. “It’s Sasha,” he says as he hands it back to me.
I decline it with a grimace.
“You should talk to her,” he says gently.
“Later,” I promise, tucking my phone away. “After I’ve had a chance to... process.”
Rowan takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. “For what it’s worth, you handled everything like a pro last night.”
“Even Walker?” I ask with a cheeky smile.
His expression darkens slightly before he shakes his head with a sheepish smile. “Even Walker. Nothing like a little jealousy to juice up the headlines, don’t you think?”
I snort, leaning against his shoulder. “Is that all it was? A publicity stunt?”
Unlinking our hands, he wraps his arm around me and pulls me closer. “You know it wasn’t,” he murmurs into my hair.
It would be so easy to believe him, to fall completely into whatever is happening between us. But a lifetime of hurt and disappointment makes me cautious, even though I’ve fallen for him. Again.
“We’re here, sir,” Evo announces as we pull through the studio gates and up to a large, four-story building.
Rowan sighs, pressing a quick kiss to my temple. “I’ll try to wrap up early. Text me if you need anything, okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” I assure him, forcing a smile. “Go convince those stuck-up execs you deserve to be Paramount’s newest big-shot Hollywood director.”
With one last lingering look, he climbs out of the car. I watch through the tinted window as he flashes his ID to the security guard and disappears through the door.
fifty-three
