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Arsen’s dark eyes stared into hers as he moved his hand softly along her delicate jawline, an electric sensation rushing down her spine as her heart screamed at her to make the move and kiss him. He didn’t take his gaze off of her, taking his own time to drink her in. She felt desire, attraction, and after the longest time, she felt awareness of the fact that she was a woman.
The space between them lessened. A slight smile crept up on his face as he moved in slowly. She exhaled gently and closed her eyes, ready for him to take her, to claim her as his own. And then the room came alive with the sound of music. More precisely, with the sound emanating from Arsen’s phone as it started ringing.
Goddammit. She screamed in her head. Another perfect moment ruined. Arsen let the phone ring a few times, hoping it would cut off on its own, before he took it out of his jeans pocket. He looked down at the phone and then looked up at Rory.
“Gimme a moment.” As Arsen turned around to talk on the phone, Rory composed herself. Out of the corner of her eye she had seen that the name on the caller ID was Tanya Cox. For the second time in a row, Tanya had spoiled a moment between her and Arsen.
Maybe it’s just not meant to be. In a matter of minutes, she had gone from feeling hopeful and happy to feeling jealous and inadequate.
I wonder what is going on between these two? She bit her nails. Rory hated that she was thinking and feeling this way. This rollercoaster of emotions was eating at her.
“When I didn’t go with the band back to LA, Tanya offered me a ride on her own private plane. I thought we were to leave later, but I guess they’ve decided to leave right away,” Arsen said as he turned back to her.
Why is he going on a plane with her? Why didn’t he leave with his band? Suddenly a lot of questions rushed through her head.
He came closer and gently put his hands on her shoulder.
“I guess this is goodbye. For now.” The smile was melancholic. Rory’s heart sank, but she wasn’t sure if it was because Arsen was leaving or because something had changed inside of her. She hated Tanya Cox more than ever in that moment.
“I’ll walk you out,” was all she said. She was trying to speak in as calm a tone as possible, but finding it difficult to make eye contact. As she was about to turn, Arsen leaned in gently and kissed her forehead. Oh, don’t do this now. Her heart began to melt, but she ordered herself not to dissolve into his embrace. She quickly turned away and walked out toward the outer living room.
“I would invite you out to LA to our big award show gig, but you have already told me that you hate LA.” He smiled. Yeah, that is some invitation. Rory preferred that he stay quiet. A part of her realized that the distress building within her was unjustified, but she couldn’t help but be angry at him.
“Well…” she said as they approached the garden exit that was right next to the wall where Arsen had created a hole with his Ferrari. The place where they had met for the very first time.
“Well…” he replied, not smiling this time.
“Have a safe flight, Arsen,” she said with an impassive face and a neutral tone. She had no doubt that Arsen had picked up on the change in her mood.
“Take care, Rory,” he replied, stone-faced. “Good luck with everything.”
He didn’t look back. She didn’t wait to wave goodbye. Every step she took was heavy, as if her feet were chained with iron. She wanted to be inside the house away from his gaze, were he even looking, before she broke into tears. Rory didn’t know why she was feeling like this. It was not as if he were hers to keep. Not as if he had professed his love to her, and yet she had handed him her heart to break.
I am empty and aching and I don’t know why.
The house engulfed her. She barely shut the doors behind her as she rushed in. Throwing herself on the sofa, the same sofa where Arsen Ford had spent the night, she buried her face in the cushion and broke into tears. For once she did not care who heard her. She needed to cry, and she needed to let it all out right away.
Chapter 17
Considering how upset she was as she drifted off to sleep the previous night, Rory found it funny how soundly she had slept. Usually she woke up a few times in the middle of sleep, but that night she slept like a log. Crying her troubles out must have played a big part. As she stretched herself and let out a big yawn, she felt pretty refreshed.
Given all the problems in her life, the last thing she wanted was to feel groggy. Rory jumped
out of bed and started functioning on autopilot, going through the motions like a robot, being very careful not to let any big thoughts rise up in her head. She reminded herself of the bills and the bridesmaid’s dress and unlike before, she didn’t wince.
Rory was sick of shying away from her problems and was determined to confront them instead. I am going to take care of the bills, even if it means asking for a loan from Dad, and I am also going to fit in that damn dress and look fabulous while wearing it.
Rory decided to ask Lizzy for help after all, especially since she had done such a great job getting Rory ready for the party. The party. She immediately brushed off that thought and distracted herself by going to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Rory had a quiet breakfast by herself. Eggs and half an avocado, simple and healthy. After a long time, she sat peacefully and read the local newspaper. Nothing ever happens in Montcove, she smiled to herself. The biggest news in this town was someone’s shop window glass being broken because of the storm. Rory sat there for quite some time, taking it slow, browsing leisurely through each section of the newspaper.
It wasn’t till she came to the entertainment section that a frown came on her face. The page was full of various pictures from Tanya Cox’s Montcove vacation. The newspaper reporter seemed very pleased that such a distinguished celebrity had descended upon their little island. As the anger rose within her, Rory’s eyes locked onto the last picture, right at the bottom.
It was Arsen and Tanya walking into the airport. Smiling, Arsen was ushering her inside the airport and Tanya had a huge grin on her face. As much as Rory hated this woman, she had to concede that even while traveling, she managed to look stunning.
Rory felt numb and her heart sank. How naive am I? Her eyes stared into oblivion, focused on nothingness. She had been warning Lizzy about Mickey. About how he would just use her and then walk away. She had warned Lizzy about a fling with a rockstar, and then she herself had gone out and fallen for one. How stupid is that?
It almost made Rory laugh—and not in a good way. She slammed the breakfast table in frustration. I am nothing but a fool. Thinking that a guy like Arsen would settle for a plain girl like me. She wasn’t completely sure why he had been paying her attention, let alone giving her compliments. He had plenty of girls around him who would readily sleep with him. Rory was certain that all of them were more glamorous and prettier than her.
