My Boyfriend Played Mind Games, So I Played Them Better Chapter 07

My Boyfriend Played Mind Games, So I Played Them Better Chapter 07

After saying that, I asked my teammates to remove my name and resubmit the application.

“We can’t do that. The whole concept was yours, and you did most of the research. If anyone belongs on this team, it’s you.”

I smiled. “It’s fine. Submit it without me. There’s no reason the rest of you should miss the

deadline too.”

If being shut out was inevitable, the best way to limit my losses was to be gracious about it.

A good reputation didn’t seem worth much most days, but when something went wrong, it

could save you.

Mia was still standing in the doorway, stunned, when I shouldered my bag and left.

As I wandered along one of Alderidge University’s tree-lined paths, I remembered Julian’s warning from years ago.

I’d followed his advice, yet somehow I hadn’t.

I opened my contacts. One entry was saved without a name.

Not that I needed one.

I knew all ten digits by heart.

I called, and he picked up almost immediately.

“Hi,” I said softly. “It’s me.”

After a long silence, he said, “I know.”

“I’m surprised you still have this number.”

“So am I.”

Was he surprised I’d called, or surprised that he’d kept the number all these years?

I didn’t ask. “Julian, let’s make another deal.”

“Go on.”

“Set up a meeting with Vivienne for me. In return, I’ll clear up those… rumors about us.”

“Ivy, I don’t need you to explain anything to her. Vivienne has no interest in my past.”

His voice was as calm and self-assured as it had been years ago, when he’d told me that people like that never punched up.

A gust tore a dead leaf from a nearby branch.

I reached for it and missed.

“Then tell me something. Did you really need a fake girlfriend back then?”

He paused, then gave a quiet laugh.

“I’m meeting Vivienne for coffee Sunday at two. You can join us.”

After the call ended, I stood there for a moment.

Sometimes I hated always being at a disadvantage.

I hated having to act sweet and obedient growing up just so my parents would cover my school expenses and give me a miserable little allowance.

Most of all, I hated that I’d finally grown up and was still at someone else’s mercy.

I kept walking and crushed the dead leaf beneath my shoe.

Unfortunately, Ivy Carter didn’t have time for self-pity.

If I didn’t find a way out, I was finished.

The coffee shop was on the top floor of the city’s most exclusive mall, with sweeping views and a quiet, airy interior.

Julian and Vivienne sat beside the floor-to-ceiling windows. He was striking, she was elegant, and they looked perfectly matched.

I took the empty chair at their table without waiting to be invited and greeted Vivienne as though we were old friends.

Vivienne looked from me to Julian, clearly confused.

“I asked her to come,” Juliani said.

I smiled. “There are a few misunderstandings I’d like to clear up with you.”

She studied me with open amusement.

“All right. Go ahead.”

I told her why I’d approached Julian in high school and exactly how I’d used our fake

relationship.

She arched a brow. “So what? You’re saying nothing ever happened between you, so I have no reason to come after you?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I’m saying Julian really did like me.

“What?” Vivienne laughed.

Julian set down his coffee and laughed too.

I continued, “I was so immature back then, and Julian still went along with the whole thing. Be honest, Vivienne.”

“Would you waste your time playing pretend with a nobody who had absolutely nothing to offer you?”

Vivienne’s expression slowly hardened.

“Ivy, are you trying to provoke me?”