Page 48 of The Fate Of Us

I remember being a heavy serial dater when I first arrived in New York. I wasnineteen, still getting over Nate and was free for the first time in my life. I was gullible and stupid, and living by my own rules. But when things took off with my career, taking me to places that I’d only ever dreamed about… I got lost in a world I was comfortable with, and stayed there.

Maybe it was time to give the whole dating thing a try again.

“Okay, first of all, if a man ever pleaded to go on a date with me, I’d laugh at them.Get real. And… to be honest, you make a good point about the dating thing. I think the last time I went on one was before I’d even auditioned for Defenders.”

Goldie hummed. “Interesting, so no dates in… what, four years?”

Oh God, had it been that long?

“Sounds to me like—”

“Don’t say it’s a sign.”

“It’s a sign. It’s the biggest sign ever, you dummy! What else does it mean when a boyyou used to have a crush on walks back into your life, who is even more handsome than he was seven years ago, and you need to get back out on the dating scene?”

“Stay in and write about the whole thing instead and eat a worrying amount of icecream?”

Her laugh forces a smile out of me. “No, Addy. It means you call him, and ask him togo for drinks.” She paused for a second. “And maybe wear something slutty.”

“Goldie!”

“What? You know I’m right.”

“As always.”

I fall back down onto the bean bag at my feet, a breath staggering out ofme as I settle back into the shape it had remembered. “Maybe some other time, Goldie. I’ve got a lot going on right now.”

I didn’t, but I knew she wouldn’t push me on it.

Besides, going on a date with Asher wasn’t on my wish list, and in some twisted way,it didn’t feel fair to Nate. I don’t know what was blocking me from picturing what a date with Asher would look like, but it was in the shape of Nate regardless. His brooding silhouette loomed over every word that flew through my mind, as I was considering doing this for myself.

We both chuckle before silence and static descend on us, which isn’t usual for ourconversations.

“You okay?” I asked, pursing my lips in a pout.

She takes a breath, like she’s preparing to recite a monologue she’d rather set alight. “Idon’t know why you and Nate won’t just get back together. You were so cute. I was convinced you’d be married by now.”

Me too, little sister.

A sigh falls so naturally from me. “It’s complicated, Goldie. Nate and I were justkids; we didn’t know any better. There’s a lot that a career like this does to someone, and Nate and I just aren’t the same people we were back then.”

“Oh, okay.” She barely sucked in a breath before she asked. “Isn’t he seeing thatblonde girl anyway?”

I didn’t answer at first, but my jaw started to tick in time to the beat of my pulse. Myback straightened and ached as I sprung up from my seat. “What girl?”

“She’s on your shoot… Ally? Amelia? She wears those cute dresses, and is like awalking advertisement for the colour pink.”

It was as if those bony, icy fingers quickly sharpened their claws and trailed down my back when I finally realised who shemeant.

“Amber Westbrooke?” I gritted out.

“Yeah, that’s her.”

Those fingers shot back up my spine and wrapped around my neck, stopping anyfresh air from seeping into my lungs. I could barely feel my legs when I asked her. “What do you mean by ‘seeing her’?”

She pauses for a moment, before my phone vibrates against my ear. “An articlepopped up on my phone right before I called you, I just sent it over to you.” I pulled my phone away, rapidly swiping to find what she’d sent and putting Goldie on speaker.

“Apparently, they were spotted leaving some production lot together and then went toan apartment block in the East Village.”

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