He Faked a Lottery to Choose Her—Until I Changed the Game Chapter 09

He took a deep breath.

“I brought her back to Harborwick. Told her parents the proposal was just for show.”

“There’s nothing between us, Laurel. There never was.”

Maybe that was true.

But that didn’t make what he did okay.

“I know I messed up. I know that. Just let me fix it. Please.” His voice cracked. “I don’t knowhow to

do this without you.”

Nothing moved inside me. Not even a flicker.

“It’s over, Grant. If I hadn’t found those slips, would you have ever told me? How many more years would I have sat there watching you pull her name out of that box?”

The blood drained from his face.

“So no. No second chance. And I’m not going to forgive you.”

Grant froze.

His eyes welled up.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Laurel.”

“Go home, Grant. If you’re really sorry, then leave me alone.”

Grant left.

He didn’t even finish his water.

He didn’t come back after that.

A few days later, a Venmo transfer popped up on my phone. From him.

I didn’t send it back.

I kept it.

He owed me that much.

Over the next two months, Miles became the person I saw most.

He took me to all the spots tourists never find.

He taught me to ride for real. By the end, I could take a horse to full gallop and pull it back on my

own.

Walking back one afternoon, he said, “That guy who showed up a while back, was that your ex?”

I nodded.

“Yes. Why?”

“No reason.”

A few steps later, he tried again.

“Have you thought about, I don’t know, seeing anyone?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Not really. I’m not there yet.”

Miles let out a quiet “Oh,” then offered a small smile. “Okay. I’ll wait, then.”

I stopped walking.

Then I turned to look at him. “Why?”

“Because I like you.” Even his ears were turning pink.

I didn’t play dumb.

“I’m not ready for anything new. Not yet.”

“That’s okay.” He smiled. “It’s your call. No pressure.”

He looked me in the eye. “You get to choose this time.”

I stood there for a long time.

Then I smiled too.

He was right. I was free. The choice was mine.

I didn’t have to sit there anymore, waiting to be picked.