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.”

me off as a threat, just like she did everyone else.

in the gym just this morning.

so confident that she didn’t think

+15 BÔNUS

was much harder to fake all the sudden. Bridget didn’t seem to care one way or the

seem to like me. It can feel a bit…

the way she was saying it, suggesting so easily that I was obviously an outcast here. I had plenty of friends now, thank you

was right. I did understand how isolating it could feel

loneliness was a universal experience. Money and fame didn’t matter if no one

interests weren’t exactly the same thing as girl

friend,” she said, and she seemed so

feel alone, not even someone I viewed so thoroughly as a

would be lucky to be your friend, Bridget,” Julian says as he

the room.

happy again, as if Julian’s flirtation has filled up some

Julian. You are too

charm on thick. His vow not

on him. He didn’t once look at me. He didn’t acknowledge me at all. His entire focus was affixed to Bridget like she had some kind of tractor beam

these princes? Bridget comes back and they both

214

+15 BONUS

lunch, Bridget?” Julian offered his arm. “It would be my

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

It looked painful, frankly, though it was still attractive on

said. Was he thinking that she did,

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

business. I wanted to help Julian, but it would be wrong to pry into his life more

For now, at least.