AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She told you?”
“We’re a lot closer than everyone actually thinks we are, because we’re so different.”
“No,” I deny. “Ashleigh wouldn’t do that.” She wouldn’t lie to me. But as I study Mimi’s face, and she holds my stare while I accuse her of lying, she doesn’t falter.
She doesn’t break.
She doesn’t even look away.
She just gives me a look that’s a mixture of sympathy and a need for forgiveness. She hates being the one breaking the news, and the words my heart doesn’t want to hear tumble from my lips. “How far along is she?” No, not again!
“Eighteen weeks.” Mimi presses her lips together. “Sean she, um, she...” She hesitates. Her gaze drops to the vase beside me. She concentrates on the single pink carnation painted on the base. “She, um, called Tristan after you left us yesterday.” There are tears when she lifts her eyes from the ceramic flower and meets mine. She replaces her hand on my forearm. “I'm sorry, Sean, but I have to tell you this. She begged Tristan to call Justin because he won't take her calls.”
A sharp intake of air balls up in my throat. She lied to me?
I swallow against the bitter taste of betrayal. The large open space closes in on me. It's not possible. This time was different. It was more. So much more... my life has just become ours... I’ve gained a daughter.
“I feel so guilty.” Mimi continues weeping. “She dragged me into the deception, too.”
Lies!
“I've been covering for her a lot so the press wouldn't pick up on doctor’s appointments.”
All of it is lies!
“But you’re my friend, Sean, and I can't stand by and let her do this to you. Your feelings aren’t reciprocated. She’s just using you.”
Ashleigh lied to me?
She's lied from the moment we woke up together. She’s played me, and she didn't even have to try hard. Just being near her was enough to make me lose my mind. I kissed her. I chased her.
I fell for it again.
“She's a multi award winning actress Sean,” Mimi whispers with an understanding that almost eases my humiliation. “It’s not always easy to see the difference between fact and fiction with her.”
Everything is a lie!
CHAPTER 16
ASHLEIGH
“Ashleigh, darling?”
Madeline Anderson raps on the bedroom door and enters my room holding two dress bags in one hand, and Stephi’s hand in the other.
I watch their reflection through the mirror. Sean’s mother’s eyes are so dark, yet her hair is as blonde as the spring sunlight; it never ceases to amaze me. The contrast is striking.
“We’re running behind, do you have time to do Stephi’s makeup?”
My gaze freezes on Stephanie’s reflection. The teenager looks like she’d rather die than spend time with me. Truthfully, I’m not keen on being alone with her either. I have no idea why Stephi hates me.
We’re both good at hiding the vibe from Maddie. She has no comprehension of the hatred fueling Stephi’s glare.
“No one else touches Ashleigh’s face, and she always looks flawless. Don’t you think Stephi? I don’t know how she does it.”
It's true. Whenever I can avoid a makeup artist and a hairstylist, I do. I’ve spent years with my own mother expecting me to wear my hair a certain way, do my makeup a certain way. I ran off to New York and found some independence, and that coupled with Julia helped me discover my own identity.
Why the hell would I pay people to tell me what type of clothes to wear, how to style my hair and wear makeup? I only call in the experts for award shows and other important events.
