Chapter 30
“In his own words,”Robert emphasized.
“There has to be some sort of mistake. Aires wouldn’t?—”
“The only mistake is that you let him into your life to begin with.”
I fervently shook my head. “He wouldn’t do this to me.”
“Here’s your chance to make it right. Say the words, and we’ll get him out of your life.”
“Robert, that’s enough,” Capri repeated, aware that my heart was breaking.
“You’re not going to continue to throw away your career for this son of a bitch. You’re smarter than that. Don’t let your infatuation with him blind your reasoning. He’s nothing. He’s no one.”
“I love him.”
“I know, sweetie.”
“Capri, enough,” Robert demanded, blocking her arm that was about to comfort me. “Love is a misconception. You’re in love with the thought of him, but not him, Bailey. You know it as much as I do. You’re just lonely.”
“I’m sure there’s an explanation for everything.”
“Bailey—”
“No!”
His stare narrowed in on me, giving me one hell of a stern look before grabbing my face. “Don’t do this. He’s no good for you. You want to end up as a washed-up actress? Because that’s what will happen if you continue with this leech. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?”
I felt myself about to break down, so conflicted with what he was saying. My mind processed it, but my heart screamed for me not to believe a word of it.
“You need to go.”
“Bailey.”
“I’m serious. I need you to leave now.”
I peered around for Aires, but he was nowhere in sight. Nobody could see us. We were too far away from the party. It was why I chose this spot. My stomach was in knots, and I felt like I was going to throw up. A sadness washed over me, and for a brief second, I let myself forget who I was. My smile sank, along with my heart.
It all felt so fake and phony, every word he ever said to me. Messing with all my sudden insecurities about everything I said to him. With a heavy sigh, I stood on business.
“I can’t believe you’d drop this on me right now. Now leave.”
Robert sighed deeply but did as I ordered. Capri didn’t break eye contact with me for a few steps, her sympathy spilling out of her. I don’t know how long I stood there when I felt Aires come up behind me.
Before he could say anything to me.
Before he could touch me.
Before…
Before…
Before…
I searched for the truth, silently praying it was all a lie.
I whipped around, stopping him dead in his tracks with our drinks in his hands.
“Did you sign this?”
He took one look at his contract in my grasp, and he didn’t have to tell me. I could already see it in his gaze.
“Bay—”
“Did you sign this contract that says…” It killed me to say it, and I held my stomach. “Per terms and conditions, Nicholas Aires III must pursue Bailey Pierce-McGraw in a romantic manner in order to hype up B. Night’s movie Say You Love Me.”
He winced, not trying to hide it.
“Not limited to kissing, dating, fucking,” I roared, slamming his contract on his chest.
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