Page 18 of Julian's Curse

I sighed. “I know this may sound impossible, but I am not entirely giving up on hope to make the money myself. And if it doesn’t work out, I assume Amanda will retain ownership of all A-shares, and perhaps still give me a position equal to the one I have now.” I knew the vision of myself owning a publishing business would nibble at me, though. Furthermore, Julian’s life goals had a way of spreading inspiration. Maybe a part of me wanted to show that I could rise to his level.

“There is something else?” She sent me a look of disbelief.

I was starting to worry that this was too much news in one day for her. I could never forgive myself if I was the reason why she fell ill with her heart problems.

“It’s really a minor issue—probably not worth mentioning. How about we grab some ice cream afterward and take a stroll in Balboa Park?” I suggested, shifting the topic.

The waitress finally brought out my strong coffee. It would help with the headache from having too many celebratory drinks.

“Your coffee could keep an elephant awake for days,” Sophie remarked as she watched me swirl my six-shot espresso.

“We pulled an all-nighter yesterday. After our engagement, we headed to a skatepark,” I explained, detailing our shenanigans. “Julian and I just felt like blowing off some steam, you know.” I wide grin spread across my face.

“Skatepark?” She raised her eyebrow. “Julian’s always in a suit, and I’ve never realized he had an edge to him. That’s hot.”

“Yeah, we both used to skateboard when we were younger.” I volunteered. “We wanted to do something memorable together. He’s way better than I am, though, at skating.”

“Wow, Lucie. I am impressed! You’re marrying a skater boy.” She began chanting the lyrics of the old Avril Lavigne song. We were that generation that grew up singing it.

“Overall, I had only two hours of sleep. I didn’t want to cancel on you last minute.” I shot her an amused glance.

“Next time you should. Lack of sleep really changes my mood. I get overwhelmed easily, and I am sure it’s the same for everyone else.”

“I am really glad I am here with you,” I mustered a convincing smile. Talking to Sophie always brought me a sense of comfort.

“Lucie, my heart can handle it.” She assured me. “Whatever it is. Spill the beans.”

“It’s not such a big deal.” The beautiful ring sparkled on my finger, a tangible reminder that it wasn’t all just in my head. I didn’t want to devote more significance to James than he deserved.

“So?” She needled me.

I exhaled sharply. “If you insist.”

“I insist. Don’t treat me like I am made of porcelain. I am a big girl.” She urged, one last time.

I took a sharp breath. “Do you remember my ex, James? I might have mentioned him when I first moved to San Diego.”

“Of course, I do, he made you miserable. For a while you had heartbreak written all over your face.”

She’d always been observant, though she didn’t need to be in this case. Indeed, I was an open book back in those days, my misery dripping from the lonely energy I gave off. My break-up with James had been the most excruciating experience of my life, aside from losing my mom. At one point, he’d given me a sense of security, so when it slipped away, I had to figure out my life anew. In a new city, with no friends or family. It was then that Nathan convinced me to date online.

“He quit drinking. He got accepted into Juilliard, to play the piano. That was the last I heard of him until a podcast this week.”

She shot me a puzzling look. “Podcast?”

“James is in a piano band that’s going viral. They got a major record deal and they’re touring.” I explained.

“But you’re not in love with him anymore, are you?” She looked confused, if not frustrated that James had made an appearance in my life at a time when I’d healed. “They always come back, Lucie. The ex who holds onto the illusion that theycan still have a slice of the pie, even though they burnt down the table.”

She was witty when she wanted to be. This itself was a hefty question. I believed that once we loved someone deeply, it wasn’t possible to ever entirely let go. But I loved him from a different perspective. I rooted for his success but had no interest in rekindling our connection to a romantic one. “Sophie, I’ve never been surer about anything in my life that Julian is the one.” I settled her doubt. “We have history, though, and I don’t think that this goes away. James knows me perhaps in ways that not even Julian does. I worry that what he feels is genuine.”

Sophie looked like she wasn’t liking any of it. “You’re marrying the love of your life. Why waste time on this? He’ll get the message eventually.”

“James told a reporter that his music draws largely inspiration from a relationship gone wrong. Right now, mainstream media is trying to find the woman from his lyrics. Apparently, there are tags on Instagram dedicated to ‘this’ mystery girl. We went to college together, so it’s not going to be that hard to trace our relationship.”

She didn’t need any more information to grasp it all in full. “Shoot, you’re worried they’ll exploit it in the news? Those aren’t the kind of headlines that Julian will want. He’ll kick his ass if he finds out.” She giggled.

“Because of that, I want your opinion. Do you think talking to James is the best way to handle this? I feel like having a conversation with him might resolve things.”

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