Chapter 16
Ashton
I’ve never been so conscious of a person before.
When I was with Mera, I watched her because I was jealous, immature, an idiot. I know that now. I know about things like trust and respect, and giving a person the benefit of the doubt.
I do. I really do.
But in the case of Mera and the Met Gala, I was right. Yes, she did appear in Bradley Cooper’s next movie, but that was after they had a torrid, two-week affair.
I have no idea if it was torrid or not. For my own ego, I like to think it needed a lot more than what we had together to make her forget me like that.
Yes, I am comparing myself to Bradley Cooper because while he is him, I am me.
But watching Sophie is different.
I’m not jealous of the smiles she gives to others. I’m not in a temper about how long she spends trying to settle an always stressed Kate.
I have no idea exactly what Kate does for the royal family, but it’s a lot.
I watch as she gives her friends her full attention, but never claims the spotlight for herself.
Even though they are here to see her, Sophie continually pushes others forward, as if she’s content to stand in the background.
I don’t know if she’s content, or it’s something she just does.
I don’t like it.
Sophie needs to have the spotlight shining on her for once. She needs to take centre stage to show the others her compassion and how considerate she is. The goodness that is inside of her. The glow that surrounds her.
At least I think she glows.
These people have known her longer than I have, so there’s a pretty good chance that they think she glows as well. And they should know how good and kind and sweet she is.
They better.
But Sophie stands back and lets her sister take the attention as she bickers with Gunnar and her brother.
The next person who calls me grumpy, I’m going to show them a picture of Stella Laz.
Sophie only laughs as Lyra and Gunnar and Fenella each jockey to take centre stage. They each have big personalities—everyone around Sophie has a big personality, so it’s no wonder she’s relegated to a supporting role.
But Sophie should be the star.
It’s not just her personality, but it’s her artistic talent.
After Duncan dropped me off earlier in the square in downtown Battle Harbour, I took a moment to do a quick lap around the streets, like I was deciding where to go.
I knew exactly where I was going. I heard Sophie ask her sister to bring her paints three times, and that’s not counting the texts she sent.
I could tell she wanted to paint. I’m not sure how, but I did. I expect she was like me when I couldn’t find a car to drive—she got twitchy.
So I bought her new paints. Along with anything else she might need.
The woman in the arts and crafts store was very helpful, even though her eyes almost bugged out at how much I spent when she rang it up.
It’s the one good thing about being a billionaire. Or, having a father who is one.
I should listen to Sophie’s father.
Duncan warned me to stay away so I don’t cause Sophie any more pain. And that’s exactly what’s going to happen if I keep on trying to make her fall for me.
Do I have to? Sophie doesn’t blame me at all. And even if she does, I have the offer of a job from the king himself.
Obviously he doesn’t think I’m a bad person.
And I am, if I end up hurting Sophie, because she is the last person who deserves it.
But the more that I watch Sophie with her friends, I think that maybe I’ve got it wrong. That maybe I’m setting myself up as the one who gets hurt.
I set out trying to make Sophie fall for me, but now there’s a chance that I’m the one in danger of losing my heart.