Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71303 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71303 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
“Oh, Stella dropped those off for you.”
A warm, fuzzy feeling fills my chest. “Stella was here? Why didn’t you tell us?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to disturb you while you were filming.”
Balancing the basket against me with one arm, I unwrap a muffin and take a bite. It tastes like it was baked with love.
“Want one?” I hold them out to Trish, but she shakes her head.
Wyatt finds us, grins when he hears what’s going on, and plucks a muffin from the basket. “We should go over later and thank her.”
“Definitely.” I take another bite, finishing off my first muffin, while Wyatt hands the camera off to Trish. As soon as I swallow, I gesture to it. “Trish, there’s some over-the-top stuff on there. I was just goofing around at one point. You’ll know it when you see it.”
She nods. “Okay.”
“Just ignore it. You know what type of stuff to include or not include. Definitely don’t put anything that goes too far. Especially now that we’re planning to transition our focus.”
“Of course. Got it.” She nods again once, but then looks at her watch. “Actually, I need to get going, but I can finish this from home and get it posted.”
“Can you? That’d be great. We’ve been slacking lately.”
“Don’t worry,” she says. “I’ve got you.”
“You’re the best, Trish. Sure you don’t want a muffin? They’re really good.”
“I guess I’ll have one,” she says, giving me a smile. “Thanks.”
CHAPTER 53
WYATT
“Did you get anything yet?”
Cam shakes his head. We texted Stella a half hour ago to ask if it’s okay to stop by, but she hasn’t responded. “Maybe she’s busy with Jessie,” he says, unconcerned.
Another half hour passes, then an hour, still nothing. The message is unread.
“I’m getting worried. It’s not like her not to respond.”
Cam gets up from the sofa. “Let’s just go over, then. I thought I heard Jessie and Goldfish in the back yard a while ago.”
At her door a few minutes later, we ring the bell, but no one answers.
“They must have gone out,” Cam says, but with a bad feeling in my gut, I ring again.
I hear Jessie’s voice inside, but can’t tell what she’s saying.
Finally, the door opens a few inches and Stella’s face is there. Her expression doesn’t ease my worries.
“Stella! What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” Her tone is ice cold.
“Is Jessie okay? Are you?”
“We’re fine.” Her eyes are cold too, and I don’t know what to make of it.
I exchange a quick glance with Cam, whose easygoing expression is long gone.
“I’m busy right now,” she says.
Jessie is behind her, saying something about wanting to see us, but Stella ignores her. Something is obviously very wrong, but I don’t want to push for answers in front of Jessie.
“Are you sure you’re all okay?” Cam asks.
“We’re fine,” Stella repeats, and then she closes the door in our faces.
CHAPTER 54
STELLA
Everyone keeps asking if I’m okay, and the question is starting to seem ridiculous.
I’m not sure I’ll ever be okay.
Marissa gives me looks all through dinner, even though I try to act normal. As soon as Jessie’s out of earshot, she insists on knowing what’s wrong.
“I’ll tell you later.” I’m too angry to talk about it, even if we had privacy.
The men have been texting me all evening, ever since I sent them away. I’m going to have to block their numbers, because apparently, I’m some kind of game for them to play.
I make it through the rest of the evening, but after Jessie falls asleep, I break down.
Marissa finds me in my room and offers me a box of tissues. Without saying a word, she sits next to me and rubs my back as I cry.
“I shouldn’t be wasting my tears on them,” I say eventually, as I try to pull myself together.
“Your tears aren’t for anyone else. They’re to help you feel better. Let it out.”
I take a deep breath and blot my eyes. “I’m so angry at myself. I’m so stupid.”
“You’re not. Don’t talk that way,” Marissa says gently.
“I trusted them, even though I knew better!”
My friend starts to rub my back again. “What happened?”
So I tell her everything. How I decided to be with the men even though I was warned, even though I knew they were players. And against my better judgement, I allowed myself to fall hard for them, even though I knew I shouldn’t.
I tell her all about what Trish said today, even though recounting it makes me feel like I could throw up.
“It’s all just a game to them,” I tell her. “Why would they take me out, and even say they wanted to be in Jessie’s life, and then fuck around with their editor? I’m so disgusted with them, and so disappointed in myself.”
“Stop blaming yourself. You didn’t do anything wrong. You gave them a chance, and it didn’t work out. There’ll be more men.”