Right?
thirty-three
I lied.Well, kind of. Idowant to be Lizzy’s best friend again. But I also want more.
Deep down, I’ve always known she’s my soulmate, my forever girl. Now I just need to remind her, convince her we’re meant to be—and I’m going to do everything in my power to do just that.
Once inside my apartment, I head straight for my laptop and pull up my email, firing off a quick message to my assistant, asking him to add Lizzy as a second passenger to my Friday flight home.
I lean back in my chair, scrubbing a nervous hand over my face. Lizzy’s going to L.A. with me.
This is really happening. Part of me still can’t believe she’s agreed to this ruse. Even thinking it makes my heart race like a damn teenager’s.
The irony isn’t lost on me—my teenage summer girlfriend is now going to be my fake girlfriend.
Next, I send a quick email to my lawyer asking him to update the NDA ASAP with a few modifications.
A strange sense of satisfaction washes over me as I clickSEND and close my laptop. Everything’s falling into place. Three days in L.A. with Lizzy alone, away from prying eyes. It’s the perfect chance to show her who I’ve become, to prove I’m not the same guy who left her behind.
My phone buzzes on the coffee table.
LOGAN
Hey man, just checking in. How you holding up today?
Confused, I stare at the message. Why would he be checking?—?
Fuck.
When I look at the calendar and see what day it is, the realization hits me hard. It’s the anniversary of my parents’ deaths. Twenty years ago today, they passed away.
I forgot.
Guilt crashes through me. What kind of son forgets the day his parents died? I close my eyes, leaning forward to rest my head in my hands.
PING!
LOGAN
You there, bro?
My fingers hover over the screen as I try to formulate a response that doesn’t make me sound like the world’s biggest asshole.
Yeah. Thanks for checking in.
It’s not a lie, but it’s not the whole truth either. Logan knows me too well, though.
LOGAN
Want company? I can swing by after my shift.
Thanks, but I think I need to be by myself today.
LOGAN
No prob. Just remember you’re not alone.
Before I even realize what I’m doing, I’m grabbing my keys and wallet. I need to go.
