Olivia leaned in and gave me a quick hug before checking her watch. “We need to go, or we’ll be late for work, but Sass’s got you, yeah?”
“Thanks.” I made a heart with my hands as Olivia and Suki grabbed their bags and rushed out the front door.
My mind flashed back to when I’d woken up that morning and seen viral photos of Karson making out with some gorgeous woman.
They were in their glamorous outfits at a stupid gala. It made me nauseous. The post reported that her name was Bella, the daughter of some media tycoon.
Perfect for a billionaire’s son, I guess.
She must be the woman he told me about in his horrible voicemail.
“You know, Sass, I thought somehow Karson’s father was behind his betrayal.” I remembered Karson’s reaction when the car arrived to collect us, back in Sydney. “From what I’ve heard, he’s a pretty brutal guy. But seeing those photos of Karson… it must be true. He has someone else.”
“Sadly, all the evidence points in that direction, hon,” Sass replied with a downward smile.
Nexttime,I won’t give my heart away so fast.I’d fallen for his lies so easily.
Fallen for him so easily.
But he’d seemed so genuinely lovely.So real. It was still hard to comprehend that he’d been so dishonest. But it is what it is…
“Alright,” I said, shaking my head in an effort to clear my thoughts. “I’m done moping.” I rose to my feet. “Anyway, I’ve still got my contract, right? And you guys are the best friends anyone could ask for. How would I have gotten through this without you all supplying me with a constant stream of chocolate cookies and ice cream?”
We laughed as Sass shoved a chocolate cookie into her mouth. “We’ve got your back. Model’s code,” she mumbled with a wink, her mouth still full.
“You know what, guys?” I shifted off the couch. “I’m going for a surf.”
Sass’s mouth fell open, her hand still hovering over the cookie jar. “And there she is.” Sass clapped her hands together in delight.
“And after my surf, if there’s still time, I’ll do some yoga out on the deck before we head off.” With a supreme effort, I flashed a smile.
It was forced, but it was a start.
Time to get back up, Ivy.
A tingle of life seeped back into my body.
11
THE VISIT
KARSON
I sat in my pajamas, legs stretched out over the back deck, sipping coffee in the morning sunshine.
My gaze roamed over the wild abundance of plants and flowers in the enormous garden before drifting out to the ocean beyond.
The headlines will be everywhere by now.Bracing myself, I picked up my phone.
The Country’s Hottest New Couple!
I scanned the images: getting out of the car in my gleaming suit, walking up the red carpet, shielding my face from cameras. Another of me on the dance floor with Bella.
My attention shifted to the next headline, my muscles tensing as heat spiked up the back of my neck…
Prince and Princess Unite!
“This is SUCHbullshit!” I yelled into the wind, gaping in horror at the oversized centerpiece: Bella and me “kissing.”Myhands were planted around her waist.
