Page 92 of The Road Less Traveled By

Did he really think that showing up here and making some bold statement was going to make everyone believe we were all fine and dandy? Did he think I was going to kiss him, hold him in my arms, and forgive him just so our contract would hold up? He’s an even bigger idiot than I thought. What happened to that guy in the bookstore all those weeks ago? Where did the real Alex go, and why does he keep up this stupid persona when he’s fine as is beneath his exterior?

I turn to face Nico and Vince, who both have the same look on their face—concern for me and anger at the situation, I assume.

“Are you okay?” they both ask me at the same time, and I can only nod.

“I’ll be fine. How bad is it out there?”

“According to my guys, bad. I don't even know how Alex got in, and someone’s getting fired or demoted when I find out—”

I walk up to Vince and put my hand against his chest, hoping it will be enough to calm him down. “Vince, stop. If Alex wanted to get in, he would get in. I’m sure it was nobody’s fault.”

“She’s right, Vincey. That kid has more tenacity than we did at his age. Look, I’ll try and get some of the headlines featuring Alex taken down by the morning so your event has the front page, Bree.”

“Thanks, Nico. I appreciate that.”

“Anything for you, princess.” He smiles at me, and I only roll my eyes.

“Nico, get the fuck out and meet me by the entrance,” Vince commands, and he leaves without a fight. When the door closes, Vince and I are alone again, and my body becomes all too aware of how close he is to me. “Are you okay, baby?”

Baby. I don't know why that term of endearment makes my heart beat a little faster. “I am now,” I say as I wrap my arms around his middle and press my body to his. “Now I feel a lot better.”

I feel his chest rise and fall, as if he’s laughing, before his arms tighten around me. “I’m glad he didn't ruin your night completely.” His hand grabs my chin and tilts my head up to meet his. “You even sparkle in the moonlight, Bree.”

“Stop making me blush, Vince, or people are going to think we’re doing something out here.”

“The pink of your cheeks is my favorite color, Bree, so why would I stop? Let them think we’re doing something. I can handle anything that all those nobodies say about us.”

And then he presses his lips to mine, kissing me how I’ve wanted to be kissed since we danced in each other's arms. His lips take over, and his tongue swipes into my mouth as the two of us breathe heavily under the starry sky.

“More, Vince,” I tell him, and he grips the back of my neck, kissing me deeper and rougher than the first time.

Fuck, I think to myself. This is what I needed;heis what I needed.

He pulls back from me, breathing heavily as he centers himself. “Bree, I’d love nothing more than to get lost in your lips all night, but we should really get you out of here before it gets too crowded outside.”

I steal one more kiss from him while we’re alone, before the cameras come back to us and I have to pretend like I don't know what his lips feel like on mine.

Chapter twenty-eight

— THE LAKES BY TAYLOR SWIFT

“Are you ready togo? Kenner and Chris are going to clear a path,” I tell Bree as she smooths out her dress. I hate that Alex decided to crash her event, and just seeing his stupid face pissed me the fuck off.

How fucking stupid is he?

I hate that the first thought that ran through my mind was that Bree is mine and not his, because I hate how possessive and insane that sounds.

But she’ll never be his in the way that matters. The two of them are faker than those teeth of his.

“I’m ready, I think. Does my hair look okay? I feel like it’s written all over my face that we just made out. My lip gloss is all over your lips now.” I smile as I bring my hand to my lips.Yup, there it is. “Do you want me to wipe it off?”

“No.”

Her cheeks flush when I say that. “So, how do I look?”

“You still look as beautiful as ever, Bree,” I tell her as I press one more kiss to her forehead, the blush creeping up her cheeks again. “There’s my favorite color again.”

“Vince, stop making me swoon so much.”

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