The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0403

“I heard he had dated another person after he was with me,” she said. “Back then, he had a little more freedom so I suppose anything is possible.”

That wasn’t a compliment, but then, her entire demeanor had seemed to shift now that we were alone. Her smile had an edge. Her voice was curter. This felt less like the cute actress persona she had at the ready for the rest of the world, and more like this might be her true self.

“I wouldn’t have believed it if Nicholas hadn’t confirmed himself to me these past few days,” Bridget said.

I felt a hint of pride. Nicholas didn’t talk about Bridget, but he did, it seemed, talk about me.

“We had a very happy relationship together while we were at the Academy,” I said. “He is the kindest man I’ve ever known and he treated me with such respect and passion…” All of it was true, but I may have been talking it up a bit more than necessary, out of my jealousy.

“You had no idea who he was. Is that right?” she asked.

“He was Nicholas.”

“But you didn’t know he was a prince.”

“No. He didn’t tell me that.”

She smiled a bit as she tilted her head. “A shame that he thought to keep so many secrets from you. When I knew him, he prided himself so much on his honesty.”

“He is still an honest, stalwart kind of man,” I said, a little annoyed at her implication otherwise.

“Maybe he is now, after your split. But you must admit that the man kept secrets from you. His lineage, for one. His closeness to me, for another.”

Unfortunately, she was right. I did have to admit that. Even though I hated to.

“He had his reasons,” she said.

“I’m sure.” Bridget tilted her head, her movie star smile slipped back into place. “I suppose I have nothing to worry about then.”

didn’t like the way she said that. Like she was crossing me off as a threat, just like she did everyone else. Maybe she truly did not know

each other in the gym just this morning. His scent was still

confident that she didn’t think it

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and my friendliness was much harder to fake all the sudden. Bridget

It can feel a bit… isolating. I’m

but I didn’t like the way she was saying it, suggesting so easily that I was obviously an outcast here. I had plenty of friends now, thank you very

I looked under my initial irritation. Yes, she was right. I did understand how isolating it could feel to believe none of the other girls liked you. To be so

famous movie star with a huge following, but loneliness was a universal experience. Money and fame didn’t matter if no one near you treated you with kindness and

love interests weren’t exactly the same thing

be my friend,” she said, and she seemed so da mned earnest. G od,

not even

friend, Bridget,”

the room.

laughs, bright and happy again, as if Julian’s flirtation has filled up some kind

Julian. You are too

moving right up to her. He was laying the charm on thick. His vow not to let Nicholas win

me at all. His entire focus was affixed to Bridget like she had some kind of tractor beam in her

him, at all. What was it with these princes? Bridget comes

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you to lunch, Bridget?” Julian offered his arm. “It would

charmer,” she laughed again. “Do any girls ever tell you no?”

frankly, though it was still

said. Was he thinking that she did, when

about that circumstance, and not really anyway to find answers. I wondered if the cook Charlotte talked about would know? The one who had been here way back when. I wondered if she’d be willing

business. I wanted to help Julian, but it would be

For now, at least.