He Chose His Old Crush and Lost Me Chapter 06

He Chose His Old Crush and Lost Me Chapter 06

Elena nodded.

“Mostly the latest stuff from luxury brands. And some handcrafted pieces-I don’t know the prices,

but they look expensive.”

She held up her wrist, showitig me a pink diamond bracelet.

“Jake gave me this for my birthday last month.”

“It’s gorgeous,” I said, and I meant it. “Really suits you.”

I’d seen that exact bracelet in a magazine at Jake’s place not long ago.

Big-name brand. Eye-watering price tag.

I turned to Jake.

“You sure know how to spoil your girlfriend, Jake.”

What I didn’t say out loud: Looking at all this, who’d ever guess the guy footing the bill had put himself through college on student loans?

Jake looked away from me, toward Elena.

“Because it’s you. You deserve it.”

I laughed under my breath. Bitter.

So I didn’t deserve it.

Seven years of knowing each other. One year together.

He’d never given me anything lavish.

But every birthday of his, I went all out. Didn’t think twice about the cost.

The year he started working, I spent weeks picking out the perfect gift-a Cartier Ballon Bleu.

He’d tried to refuse it.

“Lily, you’re still in school. You shouldn’t be spending this much on me.”

But I was drunk on finally having him. I made him put it on.

“Jake, you’re talented and you look great-but the working world is shallow. A good watch changes how people see you. If you’re happy, I’m happy.”

His eyes had gone misty. He kissed my forehead.

His parents died young. His grandmother raised him. She passed while he was in college.

When my mom learned about his situation, she told Alex to look out for him.

I’d always ached for what he’d been through. So I reached out, cared for him, stayed close.

He was sharp-started a campus business while still in school. After graduation, he launched a company with partners. Three years in, he’d made it.

He was hard on himself but generous with me over time.

I soaked up every bit of his affection, thrilled.

Now I realized-it probably didn’t even amount to a tenth of what he gave Elena.

My eyes drifted to the watch on his wrist.

It hurt to look at.

What did Jake actually love-the sweet, devoted girl I was, or the fact that I threw myself at him?