Page 72 of (Un)Expected

“As much as I’d love for that to be true, especially after last night, you look like you’re about to combust. What’s going on?”

I bit my lower lip, trying to keep my voice low but failing. “I got the loan.”

Cole’s eyes widened, his bright, bold smile almost matching mine. “Holy shit, Alex. You did it.” He reached out, taking my hand in his. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”

The simple sentiment brought fresh tears to my eyes. How long had it been since someone said that to me and truly meant it? And hearing it from Cole…it meant even more. I dropped my head, trying tostealthily wipe away the tears collecting in the corner of my eyes. “I know there’s still a lot that could go wrong, so I’m trying not to get too ahead of myself.”

“Hey,” Cole squeezed my hand a little tighter, “you’ve worked your ass off for this. It’s going to work out. I know it is.” With one last, lingering squeeze, he let go of my hand. “As soon as your shift is done, I’m taking you away to celebrate.”

Now, my excitement was all due to him. As I was about to cross all my lines and pour my heart to him, one of the few people with the power to sour my mood came into the lobby.

He scanned the room, narrowing his eyes when he spotted me, and I dropped Cole’s hand, moving a few steps away with an apologetic smile. He furrowed his brow, not spotting Theo until he approached the desk.

True to his obnoxious from, Theo even rang the ornamental bell sitting next to my name, ignoring Cole at my side. “Hello, Alex.”

“Theo,” I said through a false smile. “How can I help you today?”

After our time together during Adam Rice boot camp, I’d be happy never to see this man again in my life. Our core beliefs seemed to clash on every single level. He looked at people like transactions, gauged every relationship on its ability to create positive publicity. For example, when I questioned what Adam wanted, Theo snapped at me, telling me that our goal was to promote his brand, not his desires.

It sounded like a crock of shit, if you asked me.

“Did you get our itinerary?” Theo asked.

My brow lifted in question. “What are you talking about?”

“For New York,” he said slowly, groaning when I still showed no signs of recognition. “I swear, it’s like you want me to get more gray hair.” He pushed a few things on his phone’s screen, and then my phone chirped in my pocket. “Adam has two events coming up this weekend.Youwill be accompanying him. We’re heading into the city for three nights. Be ready to leave by seven.”

THIRTY-ONE

“Adam Rice! Adam! Over here!”

The chorus of photographers played out like a symphony, voices shouting over each other until they became one. The sound alone would have been overwhelming. Add in the constant flashes of the camera, and my skin was on fire. Even after a day of preparations, I felt the urgent need to run and hide.

Adam’s arm settled on my hips, turning me to face the crowds. I gulped, trying to paste on the fake smile. I’d practiced for hours in the mirror, between Theo unleashing a team of stylists and make-up artists on me. Not to say they didn’t do a fantastic job—on the outside, I felt more beautiful than ever.

Internally, though, I was a mess.

I resisted the urge to rub my palms along the green silk of my gown. I felt like a fraud, like a child pretending to belong at the adult table. At any moment, someone was going to realize I didn’t belong among this glitz and glamor and ask me to leave. The city was different than I remembered—louder, harsher. My brain was on the brink of spiraling out of control. The fact that this city was once myhome seemed like a far-off memory, almost as if it was someone else’s life.

I knew I’d changed when I moved away from Manhattan. Without the intense need to succeed pushing me forward, I had to find a new normal. This new version of me didn’t belong here.

For the millionth time today, thoughts of Cole flooded my mind. We’d exchanged a few texts since I arrived in the city, but we hadn’t gotten the chance to talk about what happened. I tried to hold onto how he made me feel two nights ago, the calm confidence he always exuded. I wished he was here with me right now, even though it would be awkward and ridiculous.

Too wrapped up in my head, I didn’t notice when Theo ushered us inside. When we entered the lobby, my jaw fell open. Even when I lived in Manhattan, I never could have afforded to stay here.

Three years later, I was walking in on the arm of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Adam squeezed my hand as we walked across the room, following the other patrons into the main ballroom. I gasped when we walked inside: the room was elegant, from the crystal-clad chandeliers to the exquisitely designed centerpieces on each table. The tables are decked in a thick, satin fabric, all in the same pale gold to match the accessories on the walls.

Adam leaned down whisper to my ear. “Overwhelming, isn’t it?”

I shifted to face him. “For you?”

“Of course,” he nodded. “The first time I came to one of these things, I almost threw up. I’m completely out of my element right now.”

“Then why do it?” I asked, taking a glass of champagne when the waiter passed us.

“It’s a part of the job,” Adam sighed. “If I want to give back to the community, then I need money at my disposal. While I’m willing to give as much as it takes, I can’t do it alone. I need people like this to trust me, to respect me, so I have to play the part.”

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