Esme and Matt can't stand each other, even if they have to play nice for the cameras. As public speculation about their chemistry heats up, they're forced to confront what's real versus what's just for show.
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I'm in love with Matt Crain.
This is not a problem.
I realize it when we're standing in the line of my favorite bakery, arms almost touching. This is enough.
We get recognized, but I don't mind. I partner up with them regularly and, since it's a family-owned business, I'm happy they're finally getting traction.
He examines the menu from a distance, lost in thought, and I look up at him in wonder. The realization hits me like a truck.
"Why do I only fall for losers?" I mutter, jokingly.
He sighs, shaking his head. "Don't call me a loser, sunshine. I'm the best thing you'll ever have."
"Case in point."
˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
I'm getting everything I've ever wanted.
It's karma. Either that or poetic justice. Whatever it is, it finally feels like my life makes sense—all aspects of it—and, although it terrifies me to assume it's all downhill from here, I'm determined to enjoy this moment.
I don't want to think of this as my peak. At twenty-three, surely I'll climb higher mountains and achieve more, but this is enough for now. I have the friends, the film, the reputation. I have the guy. Most importantly, I have myself.
Sadie fixed everything.
It's been a long, winding battle that she has been fighting behind my back, getting lawyers involved and threatening Oakley's team with a cease and desist if he didn't leave me alone.
It started before the film was wrapped up.
While I was being slandered and sobbed on the phone with her, she was already looking for a way out to protect me. She collected evidence, contacted executives, and pulled all the necessary strings behind the scenes. Then, she sat back and watched chaos unfold. She used Oakley's ego against him.
The PR strategy was genuine. Sadie and Kirk saw the potential in our chemistry and there's no doubt it worked—in more ways than one, as I have a real boyfriend now—but it came with extra advantages.
Oakley saw the photos, the conversations.
He panicked, thinking we were doing it to spite them, and spiraled. He became even more insufferable, demanding a song in the soundtrack of Absolutely! because, quoting him, I owed him for smearing his name. They let them have it, but were resentful; rich men don't take lightly to a B-list pop star trying to intimidate them.
An A-list pop star is a different story.
Lottie came through with receipts. Through social media sleuthing and her natural charisma, she found the girls Oakley had cheated on me with. He also found former girlfriends, who had gone through the same. They gave their statements, while the other girls declared they didn't want the same thing to happen to them and apologized profusely.
