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,

gym just this morning. His scent was still all over

was so confident that

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the sudden. Bridget didn’t seem to care one way or the

don’t seem to like me. It can feel a bit… isolating. I’m sure

didn’t like the way she was saying it, suggesting so easily that I was obviously an

she was right. I did understand how isolating it could feel to believe none of the other girls liked you. To

huge following, but loneliness was a universal experience. Money and fame didn’t

interests weren’t exactly the same thing as girl

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 feel alone, not even

lucky to be your friend, Bridget,”

the room.

if Julian’s flirtation has filled up some kind of energy gauge inside

You are

laying the charm on thick. His vow not to let Nicholas win again seemed

me. He didn’t acknowledge me at all. His entire focus was affixed to Bridget like she had some kind of

wasn’t like him, at all. What was it with these princes? Bridget comes back and

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Julian offered his

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

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

said. Was he thinking that she did, when she went with

and not really anyway to find answers. I wondered if the cook Charlotte talked about would know?

shook my head. It wasn’t my business. I wanted to help Julian, but

For now, at least.