Page 58

CHAPTER

FIFTY-EIGHT

HARPER

My video call with Team True Love was awkward at first. They were quiet and allowed me to tell my story. And then Cole and Ashleigh added some context to what started the entire series of events. And when I heard that, I broke down in tears. Things aren’t how they appear.

I knew Julian loved his family, but he was willing to fall on the sword and sacrifice himself for them. It makes me love him even more. After everything was said, we hung up. Two hours later, Ashleigh calls.

“Your story is a romance, not a tragedy. We want to help, especially since I started this mess. He deserves it. You both deserve it.”

And that’s how I became the leader of Team True Love 2.0. The plan? It’s complex and bigger than the core Team True Love can handle. They tried to get him to listen, talk. But he shut down. So now we’re on to Plan B. Team True Love needs reinforcements.

It’s been a week in the making and isn’t quite a grand gesture, but more like an elaborate hey, can we talk kind of thing. Bigger than a billboard in LA. Desperate times call for desperate measures, after all. After a meeting at The Decker Agency, I launched the plan. I’ll never be able to repay Patrick and Team True Love for their marketing strategies and contacts. I have no idea how many favors had to be cashed it, but when we reached out for help, everyone said yes. People's extraordinary actions on Julian's behalf, their unwavering loyalty and dedication to him, speak volumes about his exceptional character.

My Google alert goes off, signalling Julian’s name is on the internet again. Cyber stalking him isn’t healthy, but I feel like my clock is ticking. This is my last thread to him. The thought alone brings a lump to my throat and a sting to my eyes, but I can't afford to wallow in my sadness. There’s work to be done.

Every photograph with Madelyn Reynolds is another punch to the gut. They’ve been spotted all over LA. She’s broken off her engagement, and one report says they’re living together. Ashleigh assures me they’re purely friends. So were we. Until we became more than friends.

With a deep breath, I click on the link. They’re both dressed casually in hoodies, baseball caps, and sunglasses. Julian has his arm around her as he ushers Madelyn into the airport. Protective. Caring. Determined. Totally Julian. The headline says they’re going on a romantic getaway. I can’t help but think of our trip to Italy. He was like this with me, too. My heart sinks. I fear my time may be up. My lip quivers, tears slip down my cheeks, and this time, I let them flow.

When Zac wakes up from his pre-game nap, I’m curled up on the couch, muttering to myself, and clutching Noodle for dear life. Noodle struggles from my grip and runs to Zac. “Hey buddy, where’s our girl?” Noodle runs back to me and whines.

“Traitor,” I mumble.

Zac stands at the end of the couch and stares at me while Noodle yaps at him, demanding to be picked up. With Noodle securely snug in his arms, they both watch me, trying to figure out what’s going on with me now.

“What are you looking at?” I snap. “Leave me alone.”

He moves with lightning speed like he’s blocking the game-winning shot and kneels beside the couch, tenderly pushing my hair away from my face and behind my ear. The tears threaten again. “Hey, hey, what happened?”

I only shake my head. I don’t want to say it out loud. My heart isn’t ready to accept defeat, but my head is saying it’s white-flag time. I’ve lost.

He takes my phone from the table and flashes it at my face to unlock it, and I cry a little harder. It’s reminiscent of the first time I bumped into Julian at NYU when he did the same thing. Zac looks at the phone and sees the website with the happy couple running away together.

“It’s not what you think. Guarantee it. Listen, go take a shower, get cleaned up, and come to my game tonight. We’re playing Boston. It’ll be a good distraction for a few hours, and you can give out Harvard’s number until your heart’s content.” I consider his offer and silently nod my head. He’s right. It’s time to move on and abandon the mission. I lost.

I sit up and take my phone from his hand to send a text to Team True Love 2.0.

Great effort, but I’m afraid it didn’t work. I appreciate each and every one of you. Julian’s lucky to have you in his corner.

Harper left the chat .