Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I pulled open the door, then stilled at the sound of Rowan’s raised voice.
“What do you want, Brett?”
Rowan had placed the call on speaker, and I could clearly hear his ex-boyfriend’s voice. “Have you RSVP’d to the charity event?”
“Not sure. Been too busy to think about it.”
He was obviously avoiding the question, knowing full well I had already responded to the invitation.
“Don’t play with me, babe.”
“Don’t call me that. Not anymore.”
Yikes. But how could I argue? Terms of endearment should be off-limits from exes.
“Old habits die hard.” Brett chuckled. “So back to the charity event. We could go together.”
“For what purpose?”
“For old times’ sake.” His voice turned husky. “Then afterward maybe…”
“You could tell me what an awful lay I am?”
My mouth dropped open as I tried to tame my surprise.
“Ouch. Guess I deserved that,” Brett replied, and now I was hanging on their every word. “It wasn’t all bad between us. Some nights I still miss—”
“Jesus, Brett. Just stop.” I could tell Rowan was pacing, and I could picture his curled lip and clenched fists. “If you were so into keeping this relationship, you wouldn’t have cheated.”
I sucked in a breath, my mind swirling. I had the urge to comfort him, to offer my support. But Rowan would absolutely freak. I had no right to listen to this private conversation. I took a step back and gripped the door handle.
“So this is why you called me? Because you can’t get a date to a charity event?”
Brett laughed. “I can very easily get a date. You know that better than most.”
What an arrogant jackass.
“Good. Then you’re all set, and so am I,” Rowan said. “We’ll be cordial to each other for a good cause and move on with our lives.”
“Wait, are you implying you have a date for that night?” Brett sounded surprised, like Rowan was some sort of pariah.
“And what if I do?”
I clenched my jaw, wondering where this was headed.
“I thought you’d sworn off relationships after we broke up.”
Well, this was certainly new information. No one at work had ever mentioned Rowan seeing anyone, so I supposed that made sense. Not that he’d share his dating life with anyone, but Kendall certainly would know, and she’d been the one to encourage me to attend.
“That’s how much you ruined me for other men, and not in a good way. Besides, a date is not the same as a relationship.”
“True. Maybe there’s hope for you yet,” Brett said. What does that mean? “You were always too clingy.”
“Fuck you.”
The call ended, and the apartment went silent. What the hell was I supposed to do now? Act like I hadn’t heard the conversation?
Yeah, that was exactly what I was supposed to do.
I stood stock-still, trying to rein in my runaway breaths.
I wanted to punch Brett in the face. But I had so many questions about Rowan as well. He was so confident and talented in his career. Was it the opposite in his personal life?
I racked my brain for a way to get out of going to the event with Rowan but came up empty. I’d just make it clear I was his assistant, especially if we ran into Brett. No way I wanted to get in the middle of that mess.
That should do it.
Mind made up, I padded back into the room, wishing I could be invisible and slip out the door. Rowan was staring out the window, completely lost in thought, so maybe that idea wasn’t too far-fetched.
Okay, stop being a wuss and say your goodbyes.
“All set. See you in the morning.” I kept my head down as I made my way to the door.
“Good God, you scared me.” Rowan gripped his chest.
“Sorry about that.” I grabbed for my bag on the floor.
“What the hell are you still doing here?” He narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t even remember you were—”
“In the bathroom, checking out your fancy waterfall faucet for way too long?” My voice sounded strangled, like I was trying too hard. “Anyway, gotta bolt. I’m late to meet my roommate.”
I stepped into the hallway, letting the door shut behind me. I stood frozen for one more second before moving to the elevator.
Back at my apartment, I was still in shock from the conversation I’d overheard. Rowan and Brett’s relationship sounded just as tumultuous as the rumors floating around the studio suggested.
I didn’t want to feel bad for Rowan, and besides, there were always two sides to every story, right? Maybe Rowan’s faults—and there were many—had put them at odds. But to cheat and call him clingy? That was messed up.
“You okay?” Casey asked as soon as I came in the door. “Did that asshat do something to upset you?”
I wanted to tell Casey about the eavesdropping, but I also thought maybe I shouldn’t. It was none of my business, let alone his. Though I could probably use his advice if anything came of it at the fundraiser. But if I knew Rowan, he’d pretend it never happened and sweep it under the rug. Fine by me.