Chapter 8
The next morning, the bartender showed up right on time outside my Airbnb.
I asked how he knew where I was staying.
He said, “There’s only one decent Airbnb around here. Everyone ends up there.”
The car wasn’t a rental–it was definitely his.
I handed him a solid tip to play tour guide for the day.
He looked mildly offended.
“Okay, but can you stop calling me ‘bartender‘?”
“My name’s Julian Montclair.”
17
“That sounds like a girl’s name,” I blurted out, then instantly regretted it.
But now that I looked closer, there was something soft in his features–almost delicate.
Julian chuckled.
“You caught me.”
“I was raised like a girl until I was about six. Wore dresses and everything.”
That caught my attention.
I waved my phone.
“Show me the receipts!”
He raised an eyebrow.
“For you? Anything. You’re my sugar mama now, I’m your arm candy.”
I laughed at how ridiculous he was–but deep down, I was genuinely amused.
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The Interpot’e Fouerite Couple Was Mu Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
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Chapter 8
Driving around with Julian really was the best way to explore Orlando.
He took me to local food trucks, carnival games, and even a fair that looked like something out of a Hallmark movie.
At the food stalls, he always reminded the cook not to add onions.
At the carnival, I won first prize–it happened to be my favorite thing.
And at the fair, I threw a coin into the wishing fountain and asked for love and a smooth life.
Day one was perfect.
On the second day, we hit up the science museum.
No luck with getting main–floor passes, but Julian snuck us into the balcony.
He said he did it all the time.
Day three, we went hiking, and halfway up, my shoes gave out.
Julian pulled out a brand–new pair, already in my size.
Day four, we headed to the beach to watch a fireworks show.
It was beautiful.
While we were standing by the boardwalk, a person in a bunny mascot costume walked up and handed me a single lisianthus.
My favorite flower.
I turned to Julian. “Was that you?”
He smiled, but shook his head. “Not this time.”
I froze.
Then he looked down, a little sheepish.
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The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
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Chapter 8
“To be honest… none of the first–day stuff was actually me.”
He didn’t know I hated onions.
He didn’t know my favorite flower.
He didn’t know me.
Which meant someone else had planned all of that.
I’d thought my luck had changed. But maybe it hadn’t.
Maybe I’d used up all my good luck just by meeting Spencer.
Even love hadn’t worked out for me.
Now that I thought about it… I’d felt like someone was watching me this whole trip.
Always in the background.
Never stepping forward.
Julian gave a tight smile.
“That’s why I started making my own effort on day two.”
“You actually won main–floor tickets. I threw them out.”
“They were from him.”
“I asked him your shoe size and bought a pair
myself.”
“And I didn’t want to take you to the beach tonight.”
“I heard from a friend some rich
guy had d
a fireworks show.”
“He said it was to celebrate me making money. But I know it was for you.”
“I didn’t want to bring you. But I figured… if he planned it, you probably liked it.”
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The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
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Chapter 8
Julian spilled everything in one long breath.
He was trying so hard.
aybe it was love at first sight.
Or maybe it was just that one late–night conversation that made him care.
But by the time he got to the end, he couldn’t even meet my eyes.
He hadn’t done anything wrong.
He was just… a little jealous.
Julian looked like he was fighting every part of himself.
Finally, he looked up, his
eyes glassber
He had that kind of soft, beautiful face where even tears looked poetic.
“That bunny costume?”
“That was him. You can still him if you want.”
I stared at him until he started to squirm,
He tried to play it noble. Told me to go./
But I could see right through him–he didn’t want me to leave.
I’d told him a little about Spencer.
That I was divorced and looking for a fresh start.
But he was scared.
Scared that part of me still hadn’t let go of the past.
I took a step back.
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The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
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Chapter 8
Julian looked like a heartbroken puppy, trying not to beg.
Then I took a big step forward–and wrapped my arms around him.
“I’m not going.”
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