Page 13 of The Road Less Traveled By

Chapter six

—THE LUCKY ONE BY TAYLOR SWIFT

“What do you wearon a fake date?” my sister asks through my phone.

“Normal clothes, Liv. It’s just the relationship that’s fake, not anything else.” I swipe some blush onto my face before I braid my hair, throwing one of my favorite light brown bows on the end. This relationship is mostly for the media buzz it’ll create and, according to Connie, I always have to look camera-ready when I leave the house.

So today, I opted for a simple sweater dress since it’s still a bit chilly out. Spring is slowly moving into Pennsylvania, and pairing my cream-colored dress with my favorite brown boots is making me feel more confident already.

I’ve always thought that a good outfit and a few swipes of lip gloss make me more confident, and my theory is always proven correct. I feel less jittery already.

“Are you sure this is the best idea?”

“Liv, I know you’re worried, but don't be. I’ll be fine. Vince will be with me the whole time, and our managers called the paparazzi, so there will only be people there they want there.”

“Bree, I’ll always worry, but I just want to make sure you feel okay about this choice.”

It wasn't really a choice.“I’ll be fine. I have to go, or I’m going to be late. I love you. Tell Tristan I say hey.”

“I will. I love you too.” I hang up, and just as I zip my boots, Vince knocks on my door.

He’s wearing his usual all-black attire, and when he sees me, his eyes do a once over of my outfit before stopping on the bow at the end of my hair. I grab my purse before throwing my lip gloss, wallet, sunglasses, and phone in it, and when I meet his eyes again, he’s looking straight at me.

“Are you ready to go?” His voice doesn't match his expression. It’s like he’s straining his voice to speak, but his face is still as hard and tight as it normally is.Is he okay?

“Yeah, I’m ready.” As I say that, my palms start to sweat, and I suddenly feel like my outfit is horrendous. “Do I look okay? I’m basically announcing a relationship to the world, and I feel like I don't look camera-ready.”

“If I was him, I’d never take my eyes off you.” His voice isstilldoing that weird thing. “Why do you have to do this again?”

“It was Connie’s idea. She’s trying to get the media off my…situation and onto something better. A lot of couples in Hollywood do this, so it’s nothing new. She would rather have good press on me, and it was a mutually beneficial agreement. Alex proves to the public that he can settle down, and I get to stop seeing everyone only talk about Ralph rather than the good I’ve been doing.”

“Ah.”

We stand and stare at each other for a few more seconds before I remember we have somewhere to be. My heels click down the stairs, where I find another guy standing there waiting for us. “Emerson, right?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He nods at me, and I hold my hand out to introduce myself.

“Bree Hart.”

I feel Vince come up behind me before I see him. “Emerson is joining us today. Connie told me how much paparazzi she called, and he’s one of my best. He’ll drive, and I’ll sit in the back with you and escort you into the coffee shop. Sound like a plan?”

“Sounds perfect, boss,” I joke with him, and as we head for the car, I start to second guess whatever the hell I’ve gotten myself into.

As the car slowsto a stop outside the quaint shop, I take a deep breath.It’s just a cup of coffee, Bree. You can do this.

“Emerson is staying in the car the entire time, and I’ll get you inside. Stay behind me and wait for my hand to let you know it’s safe to get out of the car.”

“Got it.” And then he slides out, and I already see flashes of cameras going off. I throw my sunglasses on, wanting the bright lights to go away already.

I was never at this level before Alex, and now, I’m afraid that this whole fake relationship will change that forever. I used to be a girl who sat in her room and ranted about the books she loved, but now, it all feels different. I never could’ve imagined that this is what my life would turn into—camera flashes anytime I leave the house, my mail having to be sorted in case of any dangerous things, and guys threatening to do things to me without my consent.

I have the things I’ve always wanted—financial stability, people who care about my thoughts, a life of talking about the books I love—but it’s not at all what I imagined it would be.

Vince’s hand reaching back into the car breaks my spiral, and I put my hand in his as I get out of the car. That small amount of contact brings awareness to all my senses. Goosebumps travel over my skin, andI don’t know why.Focus on what you’re here for, Bree.It’s probably from my nerves. I’m hoping they’ll settle, but I doubt it.

“Step back. You’ll get your pictures, don't worry.” Vince tells them as I follow him forward, my head down the entire time as they throw questions at me.

“Bree, did Alex fly all the way to Pennsylvania for you?”

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