Chapter 30

Chapter

Thirty

Olivia

I perched on the edge of Caroline's bed, watching my best friend flit around her tiny apartment like a caffeinated hummingbird. The familiar space felt different now, knowing she'd be leaving it soon. The casual mess didn’t bother me and even the rickety bookshelf in the corner, stuffed with paperbacks and knick-knacks, made me smile.

At least if I was here helping Caroline I didn’t have to think about what I’d heard through the hotel door. I didn’t have to remember standing in a towel with my hair dripping as the sounds of Ruune and the other Valorian had drifted through the crack in the bedroom door. I didn’t have to hear Ruune’s words echoing in my head.

This is nothing but an amusement.

He’d actually said that about me. But did I really have a right to be angry and hurt? It was what we’d agreed to, wasn’t it? We’d made a deal to pretend to be attached. We’d never made any other deals or promises.

He was only my fake boyfriend. Nothing else. Not even if I desperately wanted him to be. Not even if I wished I meant as much to him as I now knew he meant to me.

"I can't believe I'm leaving so soon," Caroline muttered, tossing another armful of clothes into her suitcase and drawing me back to the moment. "How am I supposed to pack for an alien planet? Do they even have seasons on Valoria?"

I shrugged, trying to keep my voice light. "Maybe pack a bikini just in case. You never know when you might need to lounge by an alien pool."

She paused her frantic packing to shoot me a look. "Very funny. I'm more worried about Griff than my wardrobe, to be honest. He's not showing much emotion about his father being so ill. I can't tell if it's just Valorian toughness or if he's in denial."

"Maybe it's a bit of both. He's probably trying to be strong for you."

Caroline nodded, then stopped her whirlwind of activity to really look at me. "Hey, are you sure the party went well last night? You don't look like a girl who blew all the rich bitches away in a de la Renta dress."

I plastered on my best smile, ignoring the ache in my chest. "Oh, it was great. Total success. Those socialites didn’t know what hit them."

Before Caroline could press further, the door burst open and Carl sauntered in, still wearing a glittery disco ball hat from the night before. The effect was somewhat comical given his bald head beneath it. I was used to seeing him in wigs, so it was a shock to see him without bouncy curls or snow-white ringlets.

“I came as soon as I got your message.” He eyed Caroline's overflowing suitcase critically. “What’s this about having to leave and Liv housesitting while you’re gone?”

Caroline groaned, holding up a sparkly cocktail dress I’d insisted she buy. “It’s true. We need to leave sooner than we expected, so I’m trying to decide what to take and what to leave. I don’t have to take it all, since I plan to be back, and Liv agreed to stay here while I’m away.” She waved the cocktail dress. “But I’m running out of space for my dresses.”

Carl quickly assessed the suitcase. "Say no more, sweetie. Pop across the hall and grab one of my costume garment bags for your dresses.”

Caroline planted a quick kiss on his cheek before dashing out, leaving me alone with Carl. His gaze swung to me, suddenly serious despite the glittery disco ball hat.

"All right, spill it.” He plopped next to me on the bed, and one side sagged from the weight. "What did that blue hunk of alien do to put that sad look in your eyes?"

I blinked, startled by his perceptiveness. "I don't know what you're talking about. The party was great.”

Carl snorted. "Honey, I've seen that look more times than I care to count. That's the look of a girl whose heart just got stomped on by a size 14."

I opened my mouth to protest, but the words caught in my throat as I sank onto the bed next to him.

Carl's expression softened, and he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. But I swear, if that alien broke your heart, I'll break his kneecaps. Do Valorians even have kneecaps?"

Despite myself, I let out a watery chuckle. "Please don't say anything to Caroline. It’s not like anything happened. We didn’t have a fight or anything.” Aside from him saying that I was only an amusement. “He needs to go home, and I'm staying here. That's all there is to it."

Even as I said the words, I could feel the lie settling heavy on my tongue. But I needed to convince myself as much as anyone else. It had just been fun, right? That's all I'd ever wanted. Never mind the way my heart raced when Ruune smiled at me, or how safe I felt in his arms. Never mind the future I'd started to imagine. That had never been the deal.

Carl gave me a squeeze. "Well, don't worry. The girls and I will take excellent care of you while you're staying here. We're the best wing-women this side of the galaxy."

I managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Carl. I'm not sure I'm up for drag queen care just yet, but I appreciate the offer."

"Nonsense! There's no better cure for a broken heart than a night out with the queens. We'll have you forgetting all about Mr. Tall, Blue, and Handsome in no time."

Before I could respond, Caroline burst back in carrying a massive garment bag. "Found it!”

As Caroline resumed her packing frenzy, I caught Carl's eye. He mimed zipping his lips, then winked at me. I nodded gratefully, then stood up to help Caroline Tetris her life into a suitcase.

"So," I said, folding a sweater just like I would if I was at Saks, "have you and Griff talked about the wedding yet? Please tell me I get to plan the bachelorette party here.”

Caroline laughed, the sound easing some of the tension in my chest. “I doubt they do bachelorette parties on Valoria, so I’m going to say yes.”

As we continued to pack, reality teased the back of my brain. My best friend and work wife was leaving to start a new life with her fiancé. That left me here to pick up the pieces of my heart and try to forget the past few days with Ruune.

"Earth to Olivia," Caroline's voice cut through my thoughts. "You okay? You looked a million miles away just now."

I forced myself to smile. "Just thinking about all the amazing things you’re going to experience. Promise to send me photos.”

Caroline pulled me into a tight hug. "I promise. And thank you again for apartment-sitting. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"All right, ladies," Carl announced, clapping his hands. "Enough with the sappy goodbyes. Caroline isn’t leaving forever.”

We all kept saying that, but I knew the truth. She was starting a new life and leaving the old one behind. As happy as I was for my friend, I hated being left behind. And I hated that now it wouldn’t only be Caroline I’d be missing.