Page 168 of Saving Soul

Me: Calm down.

Tash: I knew I recognized him!

Me: Please keep it quiet. I don’t want the whole world knowing.

Tash: Too late for that, my dear.

Tash sent a link to a social media post, published half an hour ago.

MYSTERY GIRL SIGHTED WITH ADAM HARLOW.

Adam Harlow was spotted at tonight’s Lakers game with an attractive woman by his side. The blonde-haired beauty’s identity remains unknown, but sources say she’s just a friend, and his relationship with Staci Warner is still on track. So why does Adam Harlow look so smitten?

“Fuck.” That must’ve been why Adam was so upset. He’d seen the post and was now forced to acknowledge the complications of our relationship. I was a nobody. He was a somebody. His world would eat me up and spit me out. He knew it. I knew it. Best this ended here, without casualties, for his sake and mine. He belonged with a woman like Staci Warner. A rich, beautiful socialite. Everything I was not.

Early the next morning, I peeked out the sheer curtains toward the beautiful ocean. I needed a dip to clear my head, but to my dismay, the water was occupied. Adam’s distinctive muscular arms chopped through the water, unfazed by the waves, until he’d had enough and returned to shore.

As Adam trudged up the sand, he turned to my window, and I jumped back. My heart raced as I launched back into bed, praying he hadn’t caught me spying.

Unable to sleep in due to my regular sunrise dates with Liam, I lay under the blankets, succumbing to my reality. This whirlwind romance with Adam was never meant to last. He was a billionaire womanizer, and I was a widowed single mother. What chance did we ever have? Had our paths not crossed at such a vulnerable time, he never would’ve pursued me. I was a distraction—and one that was now trending on social media.

By the time I’d showered and dressed, I crept out of my room, past Finn’s cute snores, to find the house empty. A note was left on the kitchen counter.

Cassidy,

I’ll be at the office all day. If I don’t see you, enjoy your night. Our flight leaves tomorrow at 10 p.m.

A.

So much for not working the entire trip.

“Where’s Adam?” Finn asked, mid-yawn, as he dragged his feet down the hall. “He said he was going to take me for a drive in his Lambo today.”

“Sorry, kiddo. He got called into work,” I said, annoyed that he’d forgotten the plans he’d made with my son. “Any chance you want to come dress shopping with me today?”

“Please, no,” he whined. “Can I go to Tristan’s instead?”

I considered forcing him to keep me company, but if we only had a short time left, I wanted him to spend it with his best friend.

“I guess so.” I sighed. “Call Aunty Tash and ask.”

“She never says no to me.”

I rolled my eyes. “I know.”

“But can I swim in the pool first?” Finn peered out the enormous windows. “Adam said we could.”

I gazed out at the luxuries that would one day be a fleeting memory. “Sure,” I said, wanting them to be good ones. “I’ll join you.”

After dropping off Finn and evading Tash’s questions about Adam, Adam’s driver took me to the local mall. I hadn’t been there in years, but it hadn’t changed. Memories of Dominic holding my hand while we shopped for my wedding dress struck my heart and led me to the store where I’d foundthe one.

I stood out in front, staring at the gorgeous red dress in the window. It wasn’t like anything I’d worn before, but I was instantly drawn to it.

“Would you like to try it on?” The shop assistant took me by surprise.

“Oh, I don’t know. It’s probably out of my price range.”

“It’s half-price.”