Page 3 of My Rockstar Ex's Broken Vows

"This is exactly why I dragged you here! See what happens when you let yourself have fun? I need more. You’ve just made my night."

"I wish I had more. I got spooked when someone was approaching the bar. I didn't know them, so I’m not sure why I cared. And now I'll never know who the mystery man is."

"Shit. Too bad y'all couldn't shimmy off somewhere and do the full deed."

"Yeah, a kiss was pushing it for me. No way."

"A girl can dream…"

The excitement bubbling in my chest feels foreign but wonderful. "It was nothing like going to something like this with Marcus. Remember how he used to insist on my specific attire? God forbid I embarrass him by wearing the wrong shade of white for the season."

"And now you're making out with mysterious strangers in dark corners. I'm so proud." Brooke pretends to wipe away a tear. "Best divorce present ever."

"Yeah, I guess. Because I’m in the throws of it with my five-year-old, I don't have time for anything more. I just wish I had at least talked to him. I bet his voice was as sexy as his body and that kiss. I’m so rusty at this."

"You haven't even been divorced for twenty-four hours. You weren't supposed to find your forever man. Just a little masked fun. It's perfect. Well, except you should have at least gotten to third base. Baby steps, though. We'll get you there."

"True," I say, but is it? The thought of getting anywhere beyond first base fills me with anxiety. I touch my lips, still feeling the ghost of his kiss. "It was pretty perfect."

"And you look amazing tonight, by the way. Nothing like your usual mom uniform. No wonder mystery man couldn't resist."

"Yeah, well, it did feel good to wear something different. This never would have passed as appropriate for the big-time attorney’s wife." The bitterness in my voice surprises even me. "Thank God for my stylish friend."

"Marcus was smart. He swooped in at your most vulnerable, playing Mr. Perfect Southern Gentleman, and molded you into his perfect vision. He knew just what to say," Brooke's voice softens. "No one saw his true colors until it was too late."

I lean my head back against the seat, memories flooding in unwanted. How quickly I'd let Marcus fill the void Callum left. How desperate I'd been to prove I was over my first love…so desperate that I'd jumped straight into another relationship. Right into Marcus's perfectly laid trap.

"I knew, though. Deep down, I knew he was just a rebound. But he was so... different from Callum. So put together. So sure about everything." I shake my head. "How I stayed for so long is what makes it all the worse."

"Don’t be so hard on yourself. You were pregnant with Ollie when you married him. He isolated you and had you convinced you couldn't make it on your own. At least that’s the version I understand."

My throat tightens. "You nailed it. I can't believe I let him control me for so long. The constant monitoring of my phone, my friends, my clothes. Making me quit my job to 'take care of our home.' I loved being home with Ollie, of course. But I lost a piece of myself every day I was with Marcus."

I feel short of breath just thinking about him and I’m mad I let him in to ruin my first attempt to have fun without him.

"Look, the important thing is you got out," Brooke reminds me. "You're free, now. Tonight proves there's life after Marcus Walker."

"Maybe." I fidget with my mask. "But I can't jump into anything. That was my first mistake and how I ended up with Marcus. Ollie has to come first." I swallow hard. "I can't trust my judgment right now. Life needs to be about taking care of my son and getting to know myself again."

"Sienna." Brooke grabs my hand. "One kiss at a masquerade ball isn't going to land you in another bad marriage. You're not that naive twenty-two-year-old anymore. You're stronger now. Wiser. And you’re not looking for another husband."

I try to smile, but my mind is already racing ahead with worst-case scenarios. "Better to keep things simple. If you get invited to any other masked parties, I’m your plus one. That’s about the extent of my social or dating abilities at this time."

"We can start there," Brooke says firmly. "You deserve to feel beautiful and wanted. You’re free to kiss anyone now, but if mysterious, masked strangers are all you can muster for now, that works."

One night of fantasy is enough.

Even if those perfect lips haunt me for eternity.

TWO

Callum

The fire’s ash, the price we paid

Saturday, February 15

Pinnacle Records Headquarters

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