Page 121 of Desserts for Stressed People

I scoff, crossing my arms. If that’s how he wants to play it, then we shall. HeknowsI know how to fight. “Then you know it takes more than that to stop me.”

“I’ll inform Billy you’ve gone against my direct orders and joined an event I specifically asked you to stay away from.”

“Make sure to tell him I’ve spent all night fixing up the messes your team can’t deal with.”

“You’re unbelievable,” he mumbles.

“I’mawesome,” I snap back.

His eyes quiver. The mask almost falls off, and for a second, he looks the saddest I’ve ever seen anyone looking. Then he quickly regains his composure. “Fine. You win. Stay at the event. Save my team and do what you want, like always.”

As he walks away, I step after him. “That’s not the only thing I win.”

“What?” He faces me, his brows bent with exasperation.

“That’s not the only thing I win. We made a bet, and today is the deadline.”

Fitting his hands into his pockets, he scoffs. “Yes. And what is it you want?”

“Another chance,” I say, and before he can refuse, I set my hands on his chest. “Shane, I know what I did was wrong, but there was no malice in my actions. If you would just let me explain it all to you, I’m sure you’d understand.”

He draws in a deep breath, looking down at my hands. His palms cup my knuckles, the warmth from them so comforting I could cry. “Even if I wanted to, I can’t, Heaven. I don’t trust you. What’s done is done.”

Gripping my hands, he moves them away.

“Really? ‘What’s done is done?’” I insist once he begins walking again. “You can make your own future, Marty.” He ignores me, but I’m not giving up. If I need to, I’ll shadow him all night long. Until I have the chance to talk—until he listens to me. “If you’re throwing everything away over one stupid mistake, over one stupid lie—”

“Then what, Heaven?” he snaps, turning around so suddenly I almost bump into him.

I stare into his eyes, now almost lifeless. “Then—Then do I even matter to you? Was this...real? Did it even meansomething?”

He glances at a couple of waiters walking by our side. When they’re far enough, he focuses on me. “Donotblame this on me, Heaven. All I wanted was one chance—that’s all I asked. For you to be honest and give me one chance to prove to you that you could trust me.”

“That’s what I’m asking right now, Shane, but you won’t even listen to me.”

With a bitter chuckle, he smirks. “Yes, well. You sound annoyingly familiar. How about you and Alex give each other another chance? The ring was quite spectacular.”

I open my mouth, but no sound comes out, although there’s plenty I need to say. If only my tongue was cooperating, I’d tell him how chatting with him on a fake profile hardly compares to the shitshow my relationship with Alex had become. How the difference between Shane and me, compared to my ex and me, is that we share feelings for each other. How the ring was crap, and like everything else Alex does, shows how little he knows me.

But my mouth remains open and empty, and Shane throws a “goodbye” my way, leaving without looking back.

I scout the surrounding room as Ifeelevery beat of my heart, every breath that comes out of my lips. All around me, this place is decorated with objects I’ve seen a thousand times. The guests, wearing gorgeous gowns and tuxedos, are people I’ve talked to or I know by name. They move around a location I chose, eating food I tasted. And in all of that, there’s Shane too. It’s almost too painful to look at.

The meetings about the seating chart, shifting little pins onto a board from one side to the other. The band we saw together, before our non-date. The catwalk he made me test a few days ago, while he pretended to take shots of me with his hands.

I shouldn’t be here.

I walk to Marina, then hand over the board she gave me at the beginning of the night.

After looking at it, then at me, she walks away in silence and with the usual frown.

I have nothing else to say either.

Advancing toward the entrance, I turn to the room one more time, and my eyes meet Shane’s. I inhale deeply, lingering for a second, but I won’t cry anymore. Not in front of him.

He takes a few steps towards me, and for a moment, hope makes me levitate a few inches off the floor. But someone stops him, and when I’ve been standing in front of the door for long enough that it looks weird, but he doesn’t pay me any attention, I get out and walk into the night.

Chapter31