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“It’s not going to happen.”
“But if you do...”
“You don’t know me very well.” I fold my arms, a little peeved.
“I know you dated a famous celebrity, and the media loves you.”
“Loves to hurt me is more like it.”
“I know.”
His somber tone, as if he cares, confuses me.
“What do you know about it?” I inch closer to him.
His gaze roams my face. “Only what I’ve seen. It’s bullshit. You’re gorgeous.”
He says it with such conviction, I can’t help but smile. “Thank you.”
Now he really studies my face and unless I’m mistaken, he looks mesmerized.
Figures. The one time I find a guy who possibly sees me for me and not who I’m related to, and he’s leaving.
He walks toward the door.
I don’t know why but I blurt, “I hope everything works out for you.”
He looks over his shoulder at me, his navy eyes beguiling. “You too, Nova.”
Hearing him say my name causes a physical reaction in me I can’t quite explain. Butterflies erupt, heat explodes, my heart palpitates, and my breath freezes in my lungs.
Is this desperation or something more? Not that it matters regarding Riley because he’s leaving, but I’d like to know for me. I haven’t felt this way about a guy since high school. I dated a boy who had charm and manners similar to Riley. The great-grandson to one of America’s oldest and wealthiest families. He was super preppy and not my type at all, but he asked me to a school dance, and I thought why not. All the girls seemed to envy me for going with him, but no one more than his ex-girlfriend Caroline, who suddenly wanted him back. He only had eyes for me, though—for one night, anyway. He never asked me out again and I never knew why, though I suspected it had to do with Caroline.
It was the last time a guy ever made me feel special. Even Justice, with all his fame and grandeur, couldn’t make me feel that way. He was more about pleasing himself, and I was desperate enough to let him undervalue me. A mistake I don’t plan to repeat again. Not with anyone.
I study the sketch I’d been working on for about an hour. Is it pants or a dress? I can’t decide and I’m not in the mood to try to figure it out. Where’s my passion? I can’t draw great designs if I’m not inspired.
On my phone, I pull up the self-improvement and personal development blog I’ve been following. Porsha says it’s her go-to for mental blockage and moving out of ruts.
So far I’ve done several worksheets and read about how to heal a broken heart, as well as how not to repeat past mistakes and how to move on. Is it helping? Not yet. But I’m not one to give up easily.
Today the post is about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Do something you want to avoid or resist, especially if it involves people or loved ones.
Not really doable in my current situation.
A text flashes on my phone.
Gigi: I’m hosting Game Show Night and would love it if you joined.
Me: Game Show Night?
Gigi: A few of us started it last month after hearing about the game show America Says. Have you seen it?
Me: No. Where is this taking place?
Gigi: At the house, or rather the backyard. It would be good for you. Who knows, you might even have fun.
My immediate reaction is to come up with an excuse to get out of Game Show Night, but then I think about what I just read.