Take Three (The Jilted Bride #2)(54)

“Yep. One of our customers brought a slice of it over and it’s definitely my mom’s recipe, right down to the strips of cinnamon underneath the second lattice. She didn’t let me see, but I know she was crying in her office right after she found out… It’s like they’re sending spies down here to figure out each pie so they can use the recipe for all their stores. Isn’t that heartless? Isn’t that an ass**le-type thing to do?”

“It is…” I felt a pang in my chest.

“I’m sorry! I did it again, didn’t I?” she shook her head. “What did you want to say about Sweet Seasons?”

Shit. Shit. Shit!

“Umm…you know what? I forgot…I’m sure it’ll come back to me soon.”

“Okay, well let’s not talk about that…or our careers. Let’s focus on happier things,” she closed her eyes and slightly puckered her lips.

I bent down to kiss her and heard the pattering of little feet.

I looked up and saw Cinderella walking into the room, dragging her sleeping bag behind her.

“I’m sleeping in here with you guys,” she crossed her arms. “Someone is in there snoring! I’m a princess! I don’t like snoring!”

Chapter 21

Selena

“Selena Ross, how do you feel now that the audio of Phillip Hartford lying to you has been released to the public?” Joan tapped her notebook.

“Vindicated.”

“Just to rehash a few things for our viewers back at home,” she paused. “Us Weekly released a secretly recorded audio tape of a conversation that the two of you had on set months ago. On the tape, Mr. Hartford is clearly begging you to engage in a relationship with him, despite the fact that you mention recently discovering that he has a wife. He tells you that he and his wife are in the middle of a divorce and that you shouldn’t be concerned about it. He says he’s only interested in you and that he hasn’t loved his wife in over ten years.”

“Correct.”

“So,” Joan perfectly imitated a nosy interviewer, “why didn’t you immediately go to the press with your side of the story?”

“I knew time would take care of that for me, and I honestly needed a break to think about some things on my own.”

“And what about—”

I wonder what Ethan’s doing right now…I hope he can come over tonight, we haven’t watched The Proposal together yet…I love how he holds me the entire time we watch a movie…how he kisses me whenever the two main characters kiss onscreen…

“Selena Ross?” Joan narrowed her eyes at me. “Could you please answer the question?”

“Umm yeah sure,” I nodded at her and closed my eyes.

All I could think about was Ethan. All day. Every day.

It was so bad that my mom and Joan had resorted to spraying my face with cold water and throwing things at me to keep me focused: I messed up every customer’s order at Sweet Seasons, failed to be coherent during Joan’s mock interview sessions, and forgot whatever words were said to me within seconds.

I was falling in love with him. I had to be.

I’d never felt this way about anyone else, not even my first love. Ethan was the only guy I’d ever been completely honest with, the only guy who seemed to see right through me and truly understand.

I reveled in each and every one of our phone conversations, each weeknight date, and each passionate kiss.

He’s such an amazing kisser…I can’t wait until the first time we—

I felt squirts of ice cold water on my face and immediately opened my eyes.

Joan put down her mini water gun. “This is insane. Did you hear a word of what I was saying?”

“No…”

“I can’t believe I turned down a political career for this,” she sighed. “You’re clearly not focused right now, so we’ll do another mock interview later in the week. We really need to take advantage of this tape being leaked to the public, Selena. Everyone’s perception of you is going to change drastically and positively over the next week or two. Also, since I highly doubt you were listening to me earlier today, the director of Sweet Tennessee only wants you for the lead role so he’s willing to push back the filming if you’re still interested. He wants to have a decision from you in two weeks. Hello? Hello!”

How come Ethan never tried acting? Even if he was terrible at it, I’m sure millions of women would line up to see his films anyway…He’s so damn sexy…

“Call me when you’re ready to focus, Selena,” she stood up.

“No Joan! Stay! I’ll get focused, I swear!”

She rolled her eyes. “One more chance or we’re just going to do it another day okay? I have other things I could be doing that don’t involve watching you froth at the mouth.”

“I got it. I’m ready, more than ready.”

“Okay,” she looked at her folder. “Miss Ross, there were several pictures of you and Mr. Hartford hanging out at a private beach. Why did you feel—”

“Did I tell you Ethan had a private beach made for me?” I smiled. “He like, bought it! We go there every other day and it’s just us two...Do you think he likes me as much as I like him Joan? He has to like me a lot to build me my own beach right? Do you think he’s ever done that for someone else?”