Lured into Love (Blossom in Winter #2) - Melanie Martins Page 0,91

he replies warmly.

And as I think something through, I ask, “Um, what are you doing tomorrow afternoon?”

Surprised by my question, Matthew takes a few more seconds before answering. “I was thinking of studying, but if it’s to be with you…” A soft smile charms his lips, and he says, “I can study later tonight.”

Shaking my head at his cheeky tone, I give a quick laugh and say, “Um, there is a private exhibit of Borderless by teamLab in a collaboration with Yayoi Kusama happening tomorrow, and I was wondering if you’d like to go with me? I mean, I know art is not your thing, but…”

“I’m sure it’s gonna be fun,” he replies before I can even finish my sentence. “Should we meet at your place?”

Wow, that was quick. “Um, yep, tomorrow at four p.m. What do you think?”

Matthew bobs his head, unable to hide the smile on his face, his eyes gleaming with joy. “Sounds great.”

“See you tomorrow, then.”

“See you tomorrow. And don’t forget to have dinner!” he reminds me, before giving me a cheek kiss.

“I will.”

“And I’m gonna FaceTime you later to make sure you ate.”

His scolding makes me laugh, and I can’t help but tease him, “Yes, sir.”

“See ya.”

Chapter 24

Manhattan, October 3, 2020

Petra Van Gatt

I don’t remember what it’s like to get one night of proper sleep. When I’m left alone in the darkness of my empty bedroom, my mind keeps replaying every moment Alex and I spent together… As I touch my pendant, I’m reminded of when he placed it on my neck and when we kissed for the first time. I find those memories so bright and warm that I can’t help but find refuge in them. Closing my eyes, I recall the day he said “I love you” for the first time, the moment he helped me choose my white dress, and the moments we spent together in Aspen. Those memories seem so close and yet so distant at the same time. I cherish them as dearly as I can, and I hope one day I’ll be able to create new ones with him. The more I think about it, the more I can’t accept the fact that he broke up with me. I just can’t. Call me crazy, but in my mind, Alex is just on a long business trip to Singapore. And I pray that one day he will come back. He has to come back. Jeez, what a pathetic woman I am for loving him so much. He doesn’t even deserve it.

A part of me wants to forget him once and for all and move on. But the other part—the strongest one—simply cannot accept it. I can’t picture a life without him, or, at least, a happy one. Unable to fall asleep, I turn the light on and take my iPhone from the nightstand. After seeing it’s four a.m., I unlock it and go to check my messages. Nothing new there. Then I go to my image gallery and look at all the photos Alex and I took together. I smile seeing the pictures taken at our engagement party, especially the ones where we are dancing together under a stream of gold-colored lights. My gaze then goes to my ring, and I keep wondering why Alex insisted so much for me to keep it when I was about to take it off. Something is really off. Surely no man who breaks off an engagement wants his ex-fiancée to keep an heirloom ring on her finger. Why should I keep your ring on my finger if I’m no longer engaged to you? I text him, despite the fact that he hasn’t seen any of my previous messages. Why doesn’t he text me and tell me the whole truth once and for all, for fuck’s sake? Damn it! Why so much secrecy? Letting out a breath, I force myself to get some sleep in order to be presentable for the exhibit later today.

Janine wakes me up at eleven-thirty a.m., and I truly appreciate her for not doing so earlier. Taking my iPhone, I can’t help but check to see if Alex replied to my last message. But my heart dies a little more seeing that my texts are only marked as delivered. They haven’t been seen yet, let alone answered. And it shouldn’t matter anyway. I should focus on myself and leave this asshole alone. Deciding to bury Alex and his memory once and for all, I turn to Janine and announce, “I’m