Page 5 of Bared Betrayal

That something twists tighter.

“It’s like I only started living the day you bumped into me outside the gallery.” He snickers. “I remember that day like it was yesterday.”

So do I.

I was leaving the gallery after failing to sell my paintings when I bumped into him. It was storming, the sidewalk one giant puddle of rain. I still remember how my heart sank to the soles of my feet while I watched the Chicago weather ruin my paintings.

I smile at the memory. “You still owe me for the paintings.”

“I bought you dinner.”

“You call hotdogs dinner?”

“It’s the best dinner I’ve ever had.”

“Liar.” I snicker.

“It’s the truth. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Kal.”

“Stop.” I break eye contact and look down at the white silk tablecloth.

“I’m serious. The last two years with you have been the best time of my life so far. And I know it’s only going to get better.”

My heart starts to beat faster, my pulse picking up pace. He hands me the delicate flute of bubbly champagne, and the light from the crystal chandelier above us glints madly into the glass, reflecting back at me my future with Sebastian, and the past I desperately wish would disappear like the bubbles bursting once they reach the surface.

I look up and see him pull a royal-blue velvet box from his jacket pocket, sliding from his chair to get on one knee. My chest seizes tightly, and I mask the panic I feel inside by holding my breath, watching as he opens the lid of the small box, revealing a sparkling princess-cut diamond ring.

Ice spreads from the back of my neck and down my spine, sinking into the pit of my stomach. “Sebastian, what are you doing?” I ask softly, glancing at the people now staring at us.

Oh, God.

“I love you, Kal. With all my heart.” He takes my hand. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to grow old with you.”

No. No, this isn’t happening.

“Kallie Sawyer—”

Not now. Not today.

“Will you marry me?”

I stop breathing.

Green eyes stare up at me with unspoken promise, irises reflecting a version of myself I’ve honed to perfection for him. For me. For our lives together. But there’s another me I’ve managed to keep chained and hidden, and she’s screaming today. She always does when the time of year reminds me of what I really am. Broken. Destroyed. Hopeless and irreparable.

“Will you?” Sebastian urges, and a worried frown settles on his face.

“I…um.” I can’t get the words out. I can’t say anything because what the hell do I say? Do I say yes while internally screaming at myself that I’m not ready and will probably never be ready? Or do I say no and risk losing the one person I’ve come to trust, the one person I’ve allowed myself to get close to?

My chest starts to ache, oxygen not reaching my lungs. I can’t do this. I can’t be this version of myself for the rest of my life…can I?

Lights start flashing from every angle. Dozens of paparazzi swarming by the windows taking pictures of Sebastian on his knee, proposing to me. If I say no, Sebastian Stone’s girlfriend’s rejection will be on all the tabloids by sunrise tomorrow. The embarrassment will damage a career that’s only just started. A career he so desperately wants.

I can’t do that to him. Iwon’tdo that to him.

“Yes,” I say softly. “I will…marry…you.” My smile is genuine, but I’ve trained it to be.

My hand shakes as he slips the ring onto my finger. It takes no more than three seconds, yet it’s long enough to have my entire future flash before my eyes. A future made of deception and glass. A life of pretend that could shatter at any moment.