Chapter 19 #2
Aiden could find his own way home, because he’d had enough. Matt resisted the urge to push her off his lap and onto the floor. He didn’t want to hurt her.
“Damn it. We’re not doing this.” Grabbing both wrists, he pulled her arms away. “I’m with someone. Unless you want to be sitting on the floor, get off my lap.”
“Don’t be like that. I know you want me. Why are you fighting it?”
He’d never realized Jasmine had rocks for brains. Despite his warning, he’d never dump a woman onto the floor. Slipping one arm under her legs and another around her waist, he stood.
“Tell my brother I went home,” he said, depositing her in the seat she’d vacated.
“You won’t get another chance with me.”
I’ll live.
“Good night, Jasmine.”
Afraid of who she’d find there, Liv turned toward the door when she heard the chime. Relief washed over her at the sight of Emma standing there. Although she hadn’t seen or heard from Seb since his unexpected visit, she suspected it was only a matter of time before she saw him again.
“Good, it’s only you.”
“Only me? I don’t know if I should be offended or not.” Emma crossed to Liv’s desk with a large floral arrangement in each hand.
“You know I didn’t mean it like that. Are these both for me?”
“No, I was afraid the flowers would get scared if I left them alone.” Emma pointed to the vase on her left as she sat. “Of course they’re both for you.”
Okay, it was a silly question, but why would Matt send her two arrangements?
“Who are they from?”
Emma shrugged. “Mom processed the orders.”
“And you didn’t peek at the cards?” Liv plucked the card out of the vase filled with red and pink roses.
“Of course not. I’d never do that.”
“It’s against store policy, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, and Mom was in all day.”
Liv could read between the lines. If Emma’s mom hadn’t been there, she would’ve read the cards before delivering the flowers.
“Come on. Open the envelope, I bet they’re from Matt.”
One, sure, but why send two?
Miss you. Can’t wait to see you on Thursday. Love Matt.
“From Matt, right?” Emma snatched the card out of her hand before Liv could put it back. “Is his mom out of the hospital?”
“She’s going home today.”
“Why isn’t he coming back today?”
“He has a meeting with his agent tomorrow.”
At least, that was what he’d told her. A tiny part of her wondered if he was putting off coming back because he had access to a way of life that didn’t exist here.
“Why do you sound as if you don’t believe him?”
“Of course I do.” Rather than meet Emma’s eyes, Liv turned her attention to the second vase, which was a mix of sunflowers and roses, and grabbed the card.
“Your voice says otherwise.”
The downside of being friends with someone for so long was that they picked up even subtle differences in your tone.
“Do you think these are from Matt too?” Liv asked, changing the subject.
Unlike the first card, this one didn’t contain any hearts. Instead, a row of flowers ran across the top.
I thought these would look nice on your desk. Thinking of you, Seb.
“Are you going to tell me who they’re from, or is it a secret?”
Liv stuffed the card back into the envelope. “Sebastian.”
“Your ex is sending you flowers? Have you seen him?”
“He came in yesterday.”
“And?”
“And I told him I’m with someone.”
Emma gestured toward the flowers. “Either he didn’t believe you or he thinks you’ll pick him over Matt.”
“Oh, he believed me. But he’s convinced we won’t last. He said I’d know where to find him when Matt splits.”
“What a jerk.”
“It was a crappy thing to say, but he wasn’t wrong. Celebrities aren’t known for their long-term relationships.”
“There are plenty who are. Should I make you a list?” Plucking the card out of her hand, Emma dropped it on the desk.
“C’mon, do you really think Matt is going to be happy living here?” She’d thought it many times, but until now she’d kept it to herself.
“Yeah.” Emma removed the card from Matt and held it up. “What does this say?”
“‘Love Matt.’ But?”
“But nothing. He’s not given you any reason to doubt his feelings or that he’ll get tired of living here, so don’t make problems that don’t exist. He wants you to meet his parents. If that doesn’t say serious, I don’t know what does.”
Why had she told Emma that? “You’re right.”
“I know I am. Now, since you’re free tonight, why don’t you come by? The newest season of Under Fire starts tonight. Phoebe is coming.”
She’d planned to watch it already, but it would be more fun with Emma and Phoebe. “Count me in.”
“Good. Come over as soon as you’re done here.” Emma handed back the card and picked up her keys. “I’m heading to the grocery store for snacks, and then I’m going home.”
“I’ll be over around five.” That gave her time to finish here and stop by her apartment to change.
A little over an hour later, the scent of garlic greeted Liv when she walked into Emma’s house.
“It’s about time you got here.” Emma looked up briefly before going back to cutting a pan of brownies.
“I said around five, not at five.” She didn’t ask before snatching a garlic knot off the baking sheet. “It’s only ten minutes after.”
Phoebe entered the room and, like Liv, grabbed a garlic knot. “I want it known that I beat you here today.”
While one of Liv’s pet peeves was being late, Phoebe seemed to have the opposite problem. The only time you could count on her being on time was when she was working.
“Is the world going to end tomorrow?” Liv asked.
“If it does, you’ll both save money because you won’t have to buy bridesmaid dresses.” Phoebe held up her hand and wiggled her fingers.
“When did Aaron ask?” Emma practically jumped over the table to give Phoebe a hug.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Liv asked at the same time.
“Saturday. It was our three-year anniversary.”
Only three years? It seemed like they’d been a couple forever.
“This calls for champagne,” Emma exclaimed.
“Do you always keep champagne in your fridge, or did Aaron tell you?”
Emma set the bottle and three glasses on the table. “I always have a bottle. You never know when you’re going to have something to celebrate.”
And she thought she knew everything about Emma.
“Have you guys set a date?” Liv asked as she filled the glasses.
“Not an exact date, but we’re thinking sometime in the summer.”
“If you need a caterer, I have the name of a great one.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll be the first I call. Now let’s start the show. Otherwise, we’ll only have time for one episode.”
“First, we need a toast.” Emma picked up her glass and waited for everyone to follow her lead. “Congrats, Phoebe! Liv and I can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle carrying flowers from Exquisite Flowers before eating a meal prepared by Ocean View.”
“Real subtle.” Rolling her eyes, Phoebe touched her glass against Emma’s. “So, do you think Mya and Steve will get together this season?” she asked, referring to two of the characters in the show.
“Not if they stay true to the books. Mya stays with Daniel throughout most of the second one.”
Of the three of them, Emma was the only one who’d read the popular book series the television show was based on.
“I don’t know if I can stand another season watching Daniel sleep with every woman who crosses his path and then going home like nothing happened.” Liv popped a cheese-covered nacho into her mouth as the sound of an oven timer alerted her to a text.
“Oh, don’t worry. He’ll get what’s coming to him.” Emma pressed Play, and a recap from last season started. “Let me guess, it’s Matt.”
Since she was with Emma and Phoebe, it was a logical guess.
Sebastian: Hey, Liv.
“No, it’s Sebastian.”
“He probably wants to know if you liked the flowers.”
“Seb sent you flowers?” Phoebe asked.
Nodding, she considered whether she should respond or ignore him.
“Matt did too,” Emma added.
No, she’d ignore him. Maybe if she did, he’d get the message that she wasn’t interested.
Liv was about to put the phone down when another message appeared.
Sebastian: Regina found this on CHAT. Wasn’t sure if you saw it.
A third message came through. This one contained a photo of Matt and Jasmine Locke, as well as a link to the Star Insider.
“It’s not about the flowers.”
Before her brain had a chance to realize what her hand was doing, she opened the link that Seb had sent. Immediately, the homepage of the Star Insider filled the screen, featuring a large photo of Matt with Jasmine glued to his side, her hand on his chest, sending ice through Liv’s veins.
“Rekindling their romance?” the headline read.
Matt Sherbrooke and Jasmine Locke were hot and heavy at Covert this week.
Last year, friends and family were shocked when they broke up.
According to those closest to the couple, Matt had been about to propose when Jasmine ended their relationship because she was tired of Matt’s rigorous tour schedule.
It seems as though the two have overcome their differences and are ready to give their relationship another try.
Several smaller pictures accompanied the article.
In one, she could see his brother and Ellie Baker.
He’d told her they’d ended up at the nightclub because he’d lost a bet.
Had that been a lie? Had he planned to see Jasmine all along?
What about the other pictures? Were those women really who he’d said they were?
“Liv, what’s wrong?”
She barely heard Emma’s voice over the blood pounding in her ears.
Had he lied about his mom too?
Grabbing her shoulders, Emma spoke again. “Hey, what happened?”
Liv swallowed, but the giant knot in her throat remained. “I think Matt’s cheating on me.”
“Why do you think that?” Phoebe paused the television and changed seats so she was closer.
“Seb sent me a link to the Star Insider. There’s an article and pictures about Matt. See for yourself.” She handed Emma her phone.
Emma briefly looked at the pictures before handing the device to Phoebe. “It might not be what it looks like. She might have been drunk and come on to him. I remember reading she did that to CJ Ferguson while his wife was sitting right there.”
“Emma’s right. I read about that too. That photo is a single moment. He might have pushed her away or moved the second after it was taken.”
“Did you read the article?” Liv asked.
“And the Star Insider is known for its journalistic integrity. C’mon, Liv, we all know the magazine writes whatever will sell.”
Phoebe wasn’t wrong. The Star Insider had printed stories that were later proven to be incorrect. But they did sometimes print ones that were 100 percent accurate. Not to mention, the photos provided compelling evidence.
“Don’t jump to a conclusion because of this,” Emma said.
“What about the other pictures?”
“He was at his cousin’s wedding. It makes sense there would be photos of him with female relatives or family friends.”
“Ask him about this before you do anything,” Phoebe said.
Taking back her phone, Liv turned it off. “I don’t want to talk about this right now. Please put the show back on.”