Page 48 of Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Bryce laughs. ‘Maybe because you’ve got him blocked?’

‘Do youwantme to waterboard you?’ I ask, tossing a pillow towards him that he slaps away, knocking it to the floor before it can hit him. ‘Of course I blocked him. Look what a video of him does to me!’ I motion to my swollen eyes. ‘Bianca, help me out.’

‘I’m helping you out by cleaning this trash hole.’

‘What’s going on, though? Did he sign on for something else? Please tell me now if he did. My heart can’t take another surprise.’

‘Yes and no,’ she says.

I sigh heavily, my patience wearing thin. ‘This is one of those moments where I’m going to say something mean,’ I say to my sister.

‘How rare,’ she says with a laugh, scrubbing my counters with a force I’ve rarely witnessed from her.

‘Ha-ha. All his secrecy is doing is reminding me that Will has turned into a big fat drunk liar and I’m tired of it. And you two certainly aren’t making me feel better.’

Bianca bursts out a laugh. ‘We’re here because I hadn’t heard from you in a few days. Liv warned me you’re holed up in your apartment alone because you spiraled after this break-up. You’re not answering emails, calls or texts. It was either I come over, orMom. So, be glad it’s me.’

‘My heart is missing, Bianca,’ I say.

She and Bryce exchange worried glances as she walks into the living room, bright yellow dishwashing gloves on her hands. ‘How can we help? We’re worried about you.’

‘I’ll be OK,’ I say, leaning forward and grabbing a slice of pizza. ‘I mean, my heart fell through my chest like glass shards multiple times over the last few years that now jab at me anytime I move, but I’m sure, eventually, I’ll get used to the pain and move on.Somehow.’

Bianca’s face is sincerely sad as I say the words; even Bryce frowns.

I feel like a part of me is missing. A part I’ll never get back. Like a puzzle with a missing piece. That’s me.

Once Bianca has forced me in and out of the shower, they leave and I lie in bed for hours, watching every TikTok video he’s ever made until I finally fall asleep to his voice. Love. Sucks.

19

WILL

Three Months Later, June 2023

ROYALSNO MORE?

Say it ain’t so! Not only did Willy Adler storm off set mid-season, go radio silent concerning Danika (who’s sworn off ‘rich assholes’ forever in a recent interview) and go MIA for months, he’s now had his lawyer cancel all currentRoyalscontracts. A meeting between production, him and the network went nowhere, and it’s official:PDX Royalsmight be coming to an end. They have one more partial season ready to air, and it may be their last from the looks of it. Unless the rest of the cast can save themselves, it’s all over. I’m sorry,Royalslovers. We’ve reached out to Willy and his publicist, but both have declined to comment. Come cry on my shoulder,PDXers, we’re sad too. We’re on the hunt for answers and will update as soon as we know more.

The show airs on E! every Sunday at 9:00 p.m. PST.

* * *

‘Hi.’

She rolls her eyes. ‘What do you want?’

‘I want to spend my life with you, Berx.’

‘Please.’ She turns to walk away and I do what I came to do, dropping down on one knee and when she spots the ring in my hand, she shakes her head. ‘I’m over you, Will. Get the hint already, would you?’

Over me? ‘Berkley, baby—’

‘Don’t “baby” me, Adler. I’m no longer yours. I can’t marry you because I already said yes to Alex.’

My heart explodes right there in my chest. I should be dropping dead right now, but I can’t take my eyes off the massive rock on her finger. She’s marrying my nemesis and her face as she told me was stone cold. She truly doesn’t love me anymore. Holy shit. I’m too late.

‘Folks, we’re headed into Portland for landing in…’ The words leave Berkley’s lips but they don’t make sense.

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