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.”

said that. Like she was crossing me off as a threat, just

other in the gym just this morning. His

so confident

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upset stomach, and my friendliness was much harder to fake all the sudden. Bridget didn’t seem to care

to like me. It can feel a bit… isolating. I’m sure

that I was

right. I did understand how isolating it

might have been a famous movie star with a huge following, but loneliness was a universal experience. Money and fame didn’t matter if no

but… potential love interests weren’t

hope I can rely on you, Piper, to be my friend,” she said, and she seemed so da mned earnest. G od, she was a good actor. I wanted to believe

want anyone to feel alone, not even someone I viewed so thoroughly as

to be your friend, Bridget,” Julian says as he slinks

the room.

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

Julian. You are

into the room, moving right up to her. He was laying the charm on thick.

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 fall out

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his arm. “It would be my honor to

Julian, you charmer,” she laughed again. “Do any girls ever tell you no?” She slid her arm

grew wider. It looked painful, frankly, though it

that she

I wondered if the cook Charlotte talked about would know?

head. It wasn’t my business. I wanted to help Julian, but it would be

For now, at least.