Page 32 of Merry with a Tycoon

There’s a pause, then I hear the smile in Javi’s voice. “It’ll be nice to have you back.”

As I hang up, I feel a weight lift from my shoulders. I don’t know if Crystal will listen to me, if she’ll give us a chance. But I know I have to try. Because a life without her, no matter how successful or prestigious, feels empty.

And maybe I wasn’t aware of it then. but I am now.

Every single second of it.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CRYSTAL

The glowof my phone screen illuminates my face in the dim light of my apartment. I know I shouldn’t be doing this, but I can’t help myself. My thumb hovers over Vivian’s Instagram profile, and with a resigned sigh, I tap it.

A flood of new photos appears—Vivian and Preston at various events in Shanghai, all glittering lights and champagne flutes. They look... perfect together. A matching set of beautiful, successful people.

But as I zoom in on Preston’s face in one of the photos, I notice something. His smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. There’s a tightness around his mouth, a furrow in his brow that speaks of stress or unhappiness.

I shake my head, closing the app. What am I doing? It doesn’t matter if Preston looks sad or stressed. He’s there, isn’t he? With her. Living the high-powered, jet-setting life that suits him.

What kind of life would I have with someone like that? Always waiting for him to come home, always second to the next big deal or important meeting. No, I made the right choice in blocking his number. In protecting my heart.

Even if it feels like that heart is breaking a little more each day.

My phone buzzes, startling me out of my thoughts. It’s Willy.

“Hey, Crys! What are you up to tonight?”

I glance around my empty apartment, at the half-finished mosaic on my work table. “Oh, you know. Just working on a new piece.”

“Nope, not anymore you’re not,” Willy says, and I can hear the grin in her voice. “You’re coming with me to the Hollister Christmas party.”

My stomach drops. “Willy, no. I can’t-“

“Before you say no, hear me out,” she interrupts. “Preston’s not even going to be there. He’s not due back from Shanghai for another two days. And don’t tell me you’ve never wanted to see the inside of that mansion on the hill during Christmas.”

I bite my lip, considering. It’s true, I’ve always been curious about the Hollister home during the holidays. The Who’s Who of Love Beach is usually in attendance, a section I’m not part of, obviously but Willy now is, since she’s officially dating Brogan.

And that’s what hits me.

At least, Willy and Brogan are official while Preston and I… are not.

But if Preston won’t be there, why shouldn’t I go, even if it’s just to satisfy my curiosity.

And if Preston won’t be there...

“Come on, Crys,” Willy pleads. “You need to get out of that apartment. It’ll be fun, I promise.”

I sigh, knowing I’m going to regret this. “Fine. But I have nothing to wear to a fancy Christmas party.”

Willy’s squeal of delight almost deafens me. “Leave that to me. I’ll be there in an hour!”

True to her word, Willy arrives with a garment bag and a determined glint in her eye. An hour later, I hardly recognizemyself in the mirror. The deep green velvet dress hugs my curves in all the right places, and Willy has worked magic with my hair and makeup.

“There was a time when I was the one who dressed the princess,” I mused, remembering the night Brogan took Willy to a yacht party. She didn’t have a dress but I helped her find one and she looked just like a princess, much like I do right now. Heck, I even feel like one even if I’m without a prince.

But who needs a prince anyway?

“See?” Willy says, grinning at me in the mirror. “You’re a knockout.”