Chapter 3

The smile spread across Stewart's face at once. "I knew my buddy was the best. Don't worry, I'll take good care of her for you."

Leona kept a black look on her face all through dinner.

I couldn't work out what was wrong with her.

She didn't lift her head until the waiter brought the check, and then she paid.

"Ma'am, we've got a promotion running today. Scan the code and leave a good review and you get a free gift. I'm sure your husband will love it."

He read the room well enough to hand the gift list straight to Stewart.

Stewart took it easily. "Then I'll have this one!"

Leona lowered her head, scanned the code, and let it stand.

The whole time, nobody corrected him. Nobody explained.

The moment we got home, Leona pinned me against the door with one hand, all aggression.

"When did my husband get so generous, pushing me out like that?"

I had no idea where this temper had come from. I shoved her off.

"You agreed to it too."

She stood in the entryway, silent for a few seconds.

"I told him I'd go if you agreed. I thought you'd refuse."

Leona pressed her lips together and looked at me, and after a long moment she let out a soft laugh.

"It's fine. I'm only playing his girlfriend for one day, and we're getting married soon. I'll have all the time in the world to make you care about no one but me."

I listened to the sweet talk that came so naturally from her and didn't take it to heart.

After all, this woman had been pretending for a long time.

Otherwise she couldn't have kept me in the dark so well.

I curved the corner of my mouth, slid the ring off my finger, and set it on the table.

"Whether you wanted to say yes or not, you know that in your own heart. Don't put it on me."

"Here, take this back."

Leona's face darkened in an instant. "What's that supposed to mean? He's your buddy. Can you not make a scene over nothing?"

Her eyes fell on the ring. She was about to ask something when her phone rang.

It was Stewart's ringtone, the one set just for him. I had one for him too.

She glanced at it and let the question drop.

"Corey, something's come up, I have to go out. I probably won't be back tonight."

"Oh, right, Stewart's hometown is a bit far, so this might take a while. But I'll be back before the wedding."

I nodded and watched her leave.

The comments went flying across the screen.

[The side guy isn't still dreaming about marrying the female lead, is he?]

[If he knew the male lead's going to crash the wedding and steal the bride, he'd probably go hide and cry for days.]

[Serves him right, too. Who told him to be so clueless and shove his way in between them?]

The next second, Stewart's call came through.

"Corey, you've known for a long time that Leona's my ex-girlfriend, haven't you?"

"I know the two of you are getting married. I shouldn't have said anything."

"But I regret what happened back then. I can't forget her, and she still has me in her heart."

He paused, his voice catching a little.

"You can't be happy with someone who doesn't love you. Could you let us be together?"

After a short silence, I said evenly,

"Sure. I give the two of you my blessing."

On the other end, Stewart was startled for a moment. "You... you mean it?"

"I mean it."

We just weren't friends anymore, either.