Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 43856 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43856 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
But watching them now, I felt something I hadn’t expected—a sting of loneliness that burned sharper than I’d care to admit.
I wasn’t envious of Ava, not exactly. She was beautiful, yes, and talented beyond measure, but it wasn’t her looks or her fame that made my heart twist.
It was the way Liam looked at her.
Even though it was all pretend, there was an intensity in his gaze that felt like it could shatter the world.
Like she was the only thing that mattered.
And I?
Well. . .
I’d never been looked at like that.
Not even during my marriage.
Not even during the times I’d thought love was enough to hold two people together.
I took a deep breath, willing the emotions away.
Concentrate.
This wasn’t about me.
This was about them.
About the scene.
About making something beautiful, something that would make people feel.
But wasn’t that the problem?
This scene would hit theaters, and millions of women would watch it, aching for something they might never have. They’d see this moment—the passion, the connection, the devotion—and it would remind them of all the things missing in their own lives.
And here I was, helping create that heart-shattering ache.
That thought settled heavy in my chest.
I forced my gaze back to the set.
Ava let out a soft sigh as Liam pressed his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling, their movements slow and deliberate.
Liam whispered, “I love you.”
My heart ached some more.
“I love you too.”
The camera zoomed in.
It was mesmerizing.
And it was devastating.
I shifted my weight, my blazer suddenly feeling too tight, my skin too warm.
My mind wandered to my upcoming trip, the one I’d been planning for months.
A solo romantic trip for Valentine’s Day.
Just me.
The thought had thrilled me when I first booked it. I’d secured a reservation at one of the most exclusive restaurants on the planet, Alchemy—a culinary temple so revered that just getting on the waitlist was considered an accomplishment.
It had one Stellar star.
Thankfully, Liam had hooked me up and got my name on there.
This wasn’t just dinner.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Twenty courses.
All flawless masterpieces presented like art on a plate with hidden mysterious experiences.
And the price?
$5,000.
I sighed.
But now, watching this scene—watching two people create a moment so intimate, so connected—I couldn’t help but wonder if the trip would be enough.
Could this amazing experience in New York truly fill the emptiness currently creeping into my chest?
Or would I sit there, surrounded by strangers, and feel more alone than ever in my life?
Tension gathered in my shoulders.
Maybe. . .I shouldn’t do it.
My throat tightened as the thought pressed against me, threatening to unravel everything I’d built myself up to feel tonight.
Rae. . .we’re better than that.
I swallowed.
You are worthy. You are deserving.
And with that, something snapped in my heart—not in a way that hurt, but in a way that broke chains.
You’re going to have an amazing trip.
I fisted my hands, not in anger or frustration but in resolve.
No, I wasn’t going to sit in some Stellar-starred restaurant feeling sorry for myself. I wasn’t going to shrink into my chair, avoiding eye contact, hiding behind my phone, or letting loneliness creep into a night I had planned with so much care.
No, ma’am. Not tonight.
This Valentine’s evening, I was going to be the goddess I deserved to be.
Liam and Ava’s fake moans rose in the air, and I stood up straighter, tilting my chin higher as I finally realized that every inch of me was worthy of love, admiration, and indulgence—and if the world didn’t see that, I damn sure would.
You are worthy. You are deserving. You are goddamn amazing.
I was going to put every ounce of my energy into having the best trip of my life, no matter what.
Let’s do this.
Chapter one
The Queen Arrives
Rae
"Girl, enjoy your date tonight, and I hope you get lucky—with yourself!" My bestie, Laila teased. As always her laughter was contagious, lighting up the other end of the phone and reaching across the distance between us.
“I’m most definitely going to be lucky with myself tonight.”
“I know that’s right, Rae. That picture you sent me.” She whistled. “Girl, you are looking GOOD! You got to post it on the Gram. Hell, post it everywhere—Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn.”
“Not LinkedIn though!”
“Let these men know you’re a full-course meal, not some microwave dinner.”
“But LinkedIn?” Chuckling, I stepped out of the elevator into the Four Seasons’ lobby.
My six-inch heels clicked sharply against the polished marble floor.
“You put it on LinkedIn and some hot CEO might creep into your DMs trying to give you a position.” She laughed. “And the position is not a job, baby. It’s your legs up in the air, girl!”
Keeping the phone to my ear, I did my best to keep my chuckling down, but I knew I looked a hot cackling mess as I breezed past the concierge desk.
The Four Seasons’ lobby was a masterpiece of extravagance—towering columns, dangling chandeliers, plush velvet chairs in deep jewel tones, and massive floral arrangements in every corner.