Chapter 40
LUKE
“Are you sure you weren’t adopted?” I asked, my teeth clenched. I wanted to smack that woman for having zero sense. Senator Bergstrom had her daughter right in front of her. Her smart, funny, sassy, wise, loving child, and she’d pulled the six phrases bullshit.
She didn’t even know her granddaughter’s name!
“Does it matter?” Aspen asked, turning and leaving the room. I followed. No, she was leaving the party.
“Aspen,” I called.
She stopped in the empty foyer, spun back. “I think my job here is done.”
I looked over my shoulder. “Your mother’s a bitch. I don’t blame you for wanting to go.”
“I know what my mother is like. I thought I knew you. You’re really are a good actor.”
I blinked at her. “What?”
“How long have you planned this? Was Sam in on it?”
I frowned. “What are you talking about?”
She waved her hand. “This. Me. Using me to get to my mother.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because the deal to be in the film isn’t closed. She’s friends with Chris and is going to put in another good word for you.”
I frowned. “I don’t care about your mother or her word.”
“Don’t you? Come on, I’m nothing. No one. You found me in a small town and hoped I’d go to LA to be your fake girlfriend.”
“Exactly. But you’re not nothing and I should spank your ass for saying that about yourself.”
“Well, at least you’re honest now.”
I took a step closer. “What are you talking about?”
“You could’ve just told me that you needed access to my mother. You didn’t have to fuck me and–”
I set my hands on her shoulders. “I didn’t fuck you for your mother.” The idea was ridiculous. And gross.
She shook her head. “You fucked me for the movie role. You fucked me over, Luke. Oscar performance. God, I want to hit you with a shin pad right now.”
“You think I used you to make a connection with your mom?”
“I know it.”
I ran a hand through my hair. “This is insane. I didn’t–”
“Why else would you pick me? Why else would you tell me you need me after dealing with Lacey? Even Sam said my job was done.”
I stared at her wide eyed. Why else? Because she was everything I ever wanted in a woman. I needed her because I fucking NEEDED her. Not for anything else. “I could’ve come to this and chatted up your mom without you being here. I didn’t need you to talk to her.”
“Good thing the woman almost died the last time you met so she’d remember. Couldn’t risk this opportunity, right?”
“Aspen, you need to calm down and think clearly. You’re being ridiculous.”
She laughed, but tears filled her eyes. “Maybe. Definitely. It’s all on me.
The one who always messes up. Who blew up her own life.
Made her family hate her. You have everything.
Everything in your life goes right. It’s perfect.
Perfect family. Perfect job with money and fame.
I’m not even smart enough to keep my heart out of it. You said it was fake after all.”
“It’s not fake,” I admitted.
“Tell me the truth. Did you plan this? Our meeting at that bar in Hunter Valley?”
I blinked at her. Shit. SHIT!
Her eyes brimmed, her gaze a mix of hope and newfound awareness of how she’d been used.
“It’s not what you think,” I said, trying to reach for her.
She shook her head, stepped back.
“Yes or no? Did you know who I was when we met at the bar?”
“It’s not–”
“DID YOU?”
I sighed.
“Yes.”