Page 39 of Too Good to be True

Chapter 14

“What the fuck are youdoing here?” Corey asks with his chest puffed out.

He reminds me of a peacock preparing for battle, showing off his beauty so that the female picks him. Too bad he doesn’t realize he can’t overshadow Tim. It’s just not possible.

Tim ignores him. He looks past Corey, at me. Our eyes meet, and I lose my breath. My insides shake and jiggle. My knees are weak, and I hold on tight to my ex, afraid if I don’t, I’ll fall.

“Tim” is all that I can get out. I can’t speak. There’s so much I want to say, but the words won’t leave my mouth.

“If you want me to leave, I will, Bailey. But only after you hear me out.”

“She’s not interested in anything you have to say.”

“That’s not your call.” His eyes narrow on Corey.

“But it is. I’m her fiancé.”

“Fiance-what?”The word hits me with the force of a charging bull. And I’ve had enough.

“You had your chance, Moore. In fact, not only did you have a chance with Bailey, you had the chance to spend your life with one of the most beautiful women in the world. And you threw her away. For what?”

“For Bailey.”

“Bailey? Yeah, right,” Corey snickers as if the idea is preposterous.

I cover my mouth, stunned. Does this jackass ever think before he speaks? What did I ever see in him?

“That’s right, Bailey.” Tim is speaking directly to me, his eyes glued on mine as if Corey isn’t standing between us trying to run interference. “I risked everything I knew in my life for you. And I don’t just mean Siena. My father disowned me. I lost my inheritance. I gave up everything I’ve ever known. For you. Because you areeverythingI always wanted. You’re smart and beautiful. You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever been with. You’re creative and talented. You likedme. Not my name, or money, or power. You’re real, Bailey. And for the first time in my life, everything that happened, every minute between us, was real.”

“Enough of this bullshit.” Corey heads for Tim. “You don’t know anything about Bailey. And it’s time to leave.”

“Don’t touch him!” I shout as Corey reaches for Tim’s collar. My heart races to a furious pace, but I feel strong and confident. I no longer care about acting the way Corey, or any man for that matter, thinks I should. It’s time to tell Corey to go take a walk.

“Bailey,” my ex looks back with an incredulous look in his eyes. “He’s a cheater and a liar.”

“So are you.” Corey doesn’t deny it. I was right. “Yet here you are, asking for forgiveness. I heard you out. Doesn’t he deserve the same?”

“No. He fucking doesn’t. I’ve loved you for years. He’s only known you what, a few days? He made a fool out of you. He used you, and now the whole world thinks you're nothing more than a high-priced ho.”

“Then you should be thankful that we’re not together.”

“Look, Bailey, I’m willing to take you back—”

He’s willing?Doesn’t he get I don’t want him back?

“Nothing’s changed, Corey.”

“Everything’s changed.”

“Why? Because a rich, powerful man had sex with me and the whole world knows it? Does that make me worthy in your eyes? Someone else desires me, so now I look better to you? I have news for you, Corey, open your damn eyes. He’s not the only one that wanted me on this trip.”

“How many guys did you fuck?”

“Don’t you talk to her like that!”

I hold my hand up to Tim, letting him know I’ve got this.

“While I believe that you do love me, Corey, you said it yourself. You’re not in love with me. I’ve come to terms with that, because the truth is, I’m not in love with you either.”

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