Page 53 of Scoring with my Bestie's Ex

“And by the end of the day, so we can make the necessary changes,” Imogen adds.

I understand.

As disappointing as it will be to pull out now, I don’t see any other choice. I’ve put off this dream for so long.

I can’t do that again.

And as much as I care for Aaron… I can’t cut down my career for a man. Not again.

My stomach is in knots.

“I’m going to do it,” I say, fighting against the panic constricting my chest. “Seven designs in seven days. And then a line of my own. I can do this.”

I’m not a fraud.

And I’ll prove it to the world.

***

“I’m sorry that I won’t be helping you any longer,” I tell Aaron, my hands cool and clammy.

He grins at me, not seeming to be bothered at all. “Are you kidding me? This is fantastic news! You’re getting what you want and deserve. I’m so happy for you.”

I search his face. He shows nothing but genuine excitement for me.

“I just wish I could see the show for myself,” Aaron adds.

My cheeks warm, and I glance downward. “I wish you could, too. But your event is too important, and it’s too close to try to change anything. So, I know you can’t come.”

Aaron puts his hand over mine. “I’m proud of you, Bella. You deserve to put yourself first.”

Some of the knots in my stomach loosen.

“I haven’t told Ellen yet,” I say. “But I’ll try to get her to go to your dance so that you can reach your goal for Castleton.”

“Bella, you deserve to have your friend with you,” he answers.

My cheeks grow even warmer. He keeps saying that I deserve these things. But doesn’t he see that his cause is more important than mine?

Well, I mean, mine is super important for me.

But his is helping people.

“Hey.” Aaron squeezes my hands lightly. “What’s going through your head?”

I shrug. “That I’m being selfish with this, I guess.”

“Selfish because you want to accept an opportunity that’s been presented to you, that will get you that much closer to your dreams?” Aaron shakes his head. “Bella, it’s not selfish to want to achieve your goals.”

“I know that. I just feel bad, leaving you in the lurch.”

He leans back and waves a hand. “I have a lot of help, and things are mostly put together already. The tickets alone have nearly gotten me to my goal for Castleton. You don’t have to worry about me.”

I let out a heavy sigh of relief.

Even though I know he’s genuine, there’s still that tiny sliver of doubt.

But here’s the thing—I can choose to trust him. I won’t kill myself worrying whether he’s lying to me.

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