Page 93 of Faking Ties

“That’s fine,” Stella says. “Then I wish you all the best in your next endeavor.”

Rachel nods. “Same to you.”

Stella drops Rachel from the call in the next instant and I stare at her in shock. Stella’s hand shakes as she lifts it to her forehead. “Oh my God,” she whispers. “I just did that, didn’t I?”

“About fucking time,” Hunter seethes.

She sighs. “I’m sorry Rachel’s been treating you so poorly and that I didn’t do anything about it. Thank you for saving me during the interview. I know I’ve done many things to not deserve your loyalty, but thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I say. “I just don’t understand why you didn’t tell me about Jax. I thought we were close.”

Hunter leans his shoulder against mine, offering his support.

“I was embarrassed,” Stella says, face crumpling. “How stupid could I be to marry someone who’d cheat on me a few days after swapping vows? I guess part of me thought if I didn’t say it aloud, then maybe it wasn’t real, you know? It wasn’t even public record; we got married on an island in the Pacific. I got it annulled, not wanting to be tied to him in any way, but I was too shocked to say that in your ear when he told everyone. I just…” Stella trails off and looks so lost. Jax’s reveal is too convenient, too personal to be anything but a way to hurt Stella.

“It’s okay,” I say softly. “I get it.” The part of me that was starting to believe Stella and I didn’t have a real friendship relaxes. It’s unfair to expect a Nina-level friendship from Stella so soon after meeting her, or to learn everything there is to know about someone in a few months, even if we are sisters. “And I’m sorry if my response is going to cause us issues.”

“It is what it is. We’ll get through it together.” Stella chews on her lip. “I guess I should get started on damage control and find a new manager.”

“Okay, I’ll fly out in a few hours, and we’ll figure something out.”

Stella gives me a strained smile. “Sure. See you soon.”

We disconnect and I collapse onto the couch.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, just overwhelmed.”

“Never in a million years would I have expected for them to be married.”

“Right? But I guess his confidence that they’d end up together and obsession with her makes sense now.”

“Yeah…” Hunter rubs my back.

“That was such a close call. Jax could’ve said anything in that press conference, and I could’ve fucked it up and accidently revealed that I’m not really Stella.”

“True, but it didn’t happen.”

“I guess,” I say more to placate him than anything else. I can’t help but think in what-ifs. What happenedwas scary, made more so by the severity of the consequences if this gets out. I also feel guilty that I let the world know that Jax cheated on Stella. That wasn’t public knowledge, and I exposed her secret in retaliation to Jax’s secret.

I have no idea what the plan is now, but I’m hoping we can figure it all out when I get back to New York.

My phone pings, and it’s a message from Nina.

Nina: SLAY, babes. I just saw your video putting Jax in his place and I’m proud to be your best friend.

Me: I’m glad someone thinks what I did was good.

Nina: Everyone’s already on your side. You handled that like the badass boss babe you are. No man required.

I laughand show Hunter the text. He kisses the side of my head. “I guess you’re living up to putting powerful men in their place. First Evren and now Jax. That skill should shoot to the top of your résumé.”

I lean into his side. “You want to watch a movie or something while we wait for the plane to be ready?”

“Sure. One day, I’ll bring you back here so we can enjoy the city.”

“Yeah? That sounds amazing.”

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