Page 105 of The Road Less Traveled By

But Vince was the person who changed that for me. He sees me for who I am, and despite my insane life, he chooses to stick by me, day after day.

I never thought I’d have someone in my life like Vince Evans, and I’ll fight like hell to keep him safe from the claws of my lifestyle.

“That’s a beautiful statement.” He sits back in his chair. “You’ve changed a lot since that first meeting. You look nothing like that girl from the boardroom.”

I smile to myself. “It’s been a hectic year, Alex, but I’m hoping after all is said and done, we can still be friends.”

“I’d like that, Bree. I’m sorry for being an asshole and for disrupting your event. I’m an idiot, and if I could go back in time, I’d do it all differently.”

“Well, you can't go back,” I say as I stand up from the booth. “What’s done is done, but what youcando is focus on the future and who you want by your side when things get tough. I see how you look at her, Alex. Maybe Lily is a grand gesture kind of girl.”

He stands up from his chair and looks at me. “Hug it out?”

I nod and his arms wrap around me, camera flashes peeping through the window as we pull apart. “Thank you for asking this time. We’ll chat soon.”

“I wanted to make sure that bodyguard of yours didn't chop my arms off for not asking. I’ll probably need a bunch of advice at some point, so don't block my number after you leave.”

A laugh escapes me as I grab my purse. “I won’t. Take care of yourself, Alex.”

“You too, Bree. Let me know if you ever need anything.”

My sandals tap across the floor as Alex leads me over to where Vince is, his hand against the small of my back. “Ready to go?”

He only nods, a weird look on his face aimed at Alex, before a cold blast of air conditioning causes my body to shiver. Without thinking, Vince shrugs off his jacket and puts it around my shoulders, as if it's the most natural thing he’s ever done.

“Ready to run?” he asks me, and I smile before I grab his hand.

“Let’s go.”

He opens the door, a path already cleared by Emerson and Chris for us, and we’re able to run straight into the car, so much so that I can’t even hear any of the questions the paparazzi asks.

Vince shuts the passenger door and glides around the car, sliding into the driver's seat a few seconds later. “So, what now?”

“Well, Connie and Alex’s team will leak that we’ve parted amicably, and it’ll probably float around on the internet for a few days until something else diverts attention from it.”

“Ah. Got it,” Vince says before he puts the car in drive. “You two go ahead. We’ll follow you home,” he says through his ear piece.

I grab myphone and text the girls.

Bree: I’m free of Alex! Though our last conversation was pretty deep. I think I gave him relationship advice?

Teags: You gave your fake boyfriend who’s now your fake ex-boyfriend relationship advice for him and his famous ex-girlfriend when you never believed you were meant for love?

Liv: My head hurts.

Bree: Yes, I did.

Teags: Just making sure I had all the facts straight.

Bree: Liv, Vince is coming to your wedding as my date, not just my bodyguard.

Liv: I kind of figured.

Bree: Just making sure. I’m so excited.

Teags: Yay, love!

I laugh to myself, Vince’s jacket falling slightly off my shoulders as I do. When I pull it back up to normal, I feel like a creep when I lower my nose to smell it.

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