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“I wish it were that easy.”
“I’m sure it seems really hard at first,” she says, “but I guarantee the other person appreciates you doing that, so they can move on, too.”
“Are those roses for your fans?” Her date asks. “Are you in town doing some type of Valentine’s Day promo?”
“No, they’re for someone who means the world to me.” I step back. “Well, theywere, anyway.”
“Can I get a picture with you, too, Travis?” A blonde rushes up to me.
“Me, too!” “If you don’t mind, can I?” “Please?” Other fans appear around me, and I put on a fake smile for what feels like forever.
Through their endless line of selfie requests, I catch glimpses of Tatiana avoiding me, her chatting with this other guy as if he’s even half the man I am.
I’m tempted to interrupt and tell her she’s still mine—that she’llalwaysbe mine, but then the guy kisses her lips.
She doesn’t pull away; she kisses him back.
The last bits of my heart break in my chest, and I force myself to leave the cafe mid-selfie. I toss the red roses onto the street and return to my car.
If she wants to pretend like we never met, two can play that game.
ACT 16 & A HALF
BACK THEN
TATIANA
Years Later
Manhattan, New York
Please be the one. Please be the one.
I’m standing outside a beautiful brick brownstone, hoping like hell that my apartment search will end today. So far, I’ve toured studios with rat infestations, high-rises I can’t afford, and places so small that only two of my suitcases would fit.
Repeating my prayer, I ring the doorbell, and the door swings open within seconds.
What the…Penelope?
We stare at each other, and I look her over in disbelief.
Time has been great to her since her fall; she’s gorgeous and looks like she’s healed well.
Unlike the rumors I’ve heard here and there, she doesn’t look dazed at all.
Does she even remember me?
“Ugh. It’syou.” She glares at me, answering that question, looking at me with pure disdain.
“You.” I glare right back and cross my arms.
“If I had known this place was yours,” I say, “I swear I never would’ve answered the ad.”
“It’s a good thing you did.” She shrugs. “You can get a good look at a beautiful place where you’ll never stay.”
“I’ve always known that you were a cold-hearted bitch.”
“I’ve always known that you were a bigger one.”
