“I fucked up. I’m sorry that—”

  “That I found out! You knew the entire time that Alexa is the woman from the pictures. You let me take the fall for her. We’re supposed to be partners. I trusted you.” She curls up on the chair, hugging her knees to her chest as she cries. “I thought you…”

  I have no idea what to say or do to comfort her. For a few minutes, we sit in silence, with nothing more than Harley’s sobs filling the void. Testing the waters, I run my hand down her arm, stroking her soft skin with my fingers. She doesn’t push me away.

  “I hate you,” she whines. “I can’t believe you. Why did you have sex with Alexa?” She looks at me from between her fingers. “Why, Nate?”

  “Because I was upset and angry.”

  “About what? I need to know why you would do this to me.”

  “Because I’d been in love with you for years, and when I heard you were getting serious with Kevin Frederick, it pissed me off. I couldn’t even think straight.”

  “What does Kevin have to do with anything? And how did you even know?”

  “Callie told me.”

  She scowls. “So, you hooked up with Alexa to get back at me for dating someone?”

  “No… I don’t know. I was drunk. She was there. She was blonde… like you. I wanted the pain to go away, and at the time, I thought she was a good distraction. But when I woke up the next morning, I felt worse. I knew you would never forgive me. And then a week later, someone sold those pictures to the media. I had no idea they were taken. I wanted to tell you, but when I saw you, after waiting years to get you back, I couldn’t go through with it.”

  She shakes her head, a look of disgust on her face. “I knew this was too good to be true. And now, you’ve made both of us the laughingstock of the city. Of the tech world. Who will ever take either of us seriously after this?”

  “This is real, Harley. None of it was for show.”

  “I don’t care,” she snaps. “None of that matters. What future do we have now?” My heart sinks to my stomach as Harley tips her head to her cell phone. “Pick it up. See what they’re saying about us.”

  I lift her phone from the carpet.

  “Click on the link Callie sent me,” she says, looking out the window.

  I lean back against the mattress and hit play. A reporter is interviewing Alexa, who’s challenging the legitimacy of my marriage to Harley. There’s even a side-by-side comparison of Alexa and Harley. It’s clear that Harley isn’t the woman from the pictures. Alexa tells the reporter that our wedding is a lie to cover up the incident. She claims that I promised to see her again and then blew her off, which is an even bigger lie.

  Harley snickers. “That bitch has some nerve. Like she knows anything about me.”

  She opens the closet and slides a silky robe over her shoulders. When she catches me staring at her naked body, she pulls it closed. “What did you say to her that night?”

  “We weren’t talking,” I point out.

  She blows out a breath of air and folds her arms over her chest. “How does she know I was in LA? We haven’t seen her since high school.”

  “Everyone knows we went our separate ways.”

  “Are you sure you didn’t tell her anything?”

  I push myself up from the floor, towering over her. “Of course not. Do you take me for an idiot?”

  She smirks. “Do you really want me to answer that?”

  We stare at each other for what feels like an hour when in reality it’s probably a few minutes. Harley glares at me with so much hatred it burns my skin. My stomach churns from the nerves stirring inside me.

  I’m losing her.

  I can feel it.

  “Tell me what to do.”

  Harley bites the inside of her cheek. “Go to the office.”

  I extend my hand to her. “Come with me.”

  She shakes her head. “I’m taking the day off. I need time to think.”

  “What can I do?”

  I have no idea what to say to make this situation better. She has every right to walk away. Our marriage was built on lies. We reached our goal and signed the deal with Titan Tech last week, and now we have enough funding to get through the next two projects.

  “Give me some space,” she suggests.

  “What about us?”

  Tears fill her bottom lids. “I don’t know. I need to think about that, too. When I left LA, I gave up friends, a boyfriend, and an apartment that I loved. I need to go back, get out of the spotlight for a while, and figure out my next move.”

  “C’mon, Harley. I thought we were in this together.”

  “I never lied to you. I was honest with you the entire time. I entered into this arrangement with all of my cards laid out on the table.”

  “So did I,” I say in my defense. “I only left out one small detail.”

  “And that small detail just ruined both of our reputations, mine more than yours.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She throws out her hand between us. “Save it, Nate. Sorry doesn’t cut it this time.”

  “I’ll do anything,” I plead, not above getting on my hands and knees to beg for her forgiveness. “Just say the word.”

  “I think some time apart will do both of us good. You need to finish the game. And I need to find a new job.”

  “No, you don’t,” I challenge. “Don’t give up on us already. That’s not you, Harley. You’re not a quitter.”

  “I’m not giving up, just finding an alternative.”

  “But this game is our thing. You have to see it through with me.”

  I will do anything to keep Harley in my life—grovel, beg, buy her a new car, anything she wants. I don’t care what I have to do as long as she stays with me.

  “It’s your codebase,” she counters with anger in her tone. “Your ideas. Finish it. Show me you’re serious about us.”

  To finish this game, I have to get over my fears. A part of my old self is tied to the original game, which opens up the old wounds with Harley every time I envision the end product. I made some progress while she was working on it with me, but the same stumbling block is still in my way. I have to conquer my fear.

  “The 10X Games Con is in two months in LA,” she says. “You have until then to produce a working beta.”

  “Harley, I need you.”

  “No, you don’t. You just think you need me. Don’t use me as a crutch. There’s a reason you’ve been fumbling with this game since high school. Figure it out, or we don’t have a future.”

  “So, that’s it?”

  She presses her lips together and nods.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Harley

  Nate shit on everything I thought we were building together. Alexa motherfucking Daniels. How could he do that to me? Even years after high school, I still feel the rage bubble inside my chest when I think about her. I knew Nate had done some shitty, stupid things over the years, but I underestimated his level of reckless behavior.

  It was too good to be true, I remind myself. You knew this would happen.

  Callie calls as I shove the last of my things into a suitcase.

  “Hey, babe,” she says with sadness in her tone. “How are you feeling? You need anything? I can come over if you want.”

  “I’m going back to LA. My flight leaves in a few hours.”

  “Wow, that was fast. You’re really leaving Nate?”

  I zip up my suitcase and roll it out of my bedroom, taking one last look before I close the door behind me. “He chose the one person who is a deal breaker for me. Alexa ruined our friendship and did nothing but humiliate me. I guess this is the grand finale to her master plan. We need space. I can’t even look at Nate right now. Plus, I never had the chance to go back to my apartment before I agreed to marry Nate. All of this was so rushed. I think it’s time to slow things down until I figure out what I’m doing with my life.”

  “I’m still in shock.” She sighs into the phone. “We knew he was a dumbass, but Alexa… I’m so sorry, girl. I really thought you two were end game.”

  “I asked him not to lie to me before I agreed to marry him. I’m getting sick of all the men in my life telling me what they think I want to hear and not what I need to hear.”

  “I was getting used to having you around again. I’m going to miss you. If you want, I can kick Nate’s ass for you while you’re gone.”

  I laugh at her offer. “I think he’s kicking his own ass right about now. You should have seen the look on his face when he left for work. He looked like he was going to my funeral.”

  “I bet he feels like it,” she says. “Nate’s been in love with you for as long as I can remember. He always tried to deny it, but no one can hide the truth from The Gossip Queen.”

  “It’s not forever,” I confess. “Nate has a deadline. If he meets it, then we can talk about a future.”

  “So, you’re not divorcing him?”

  “I still love him. I might hate his guts right now, but my feelings for Nate haven’t changed. He’s been dragging his feet on this game for over a decade and hasn’t made much progress even with me around. If he wants me to take him seriously, he has to tell the truth, admit what he did wrong, and show me that he’s earned me. I’m sick of being a pushover. I’m tired of everyone taking advantage of me and then expecting me to roll with the punches.”

  “About damn time,” she mutters. “I’ve been waiting for this day to come.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You let your dad tell you what to do. He’s controlled every aspect of your life, including your marriage to Nate. For years, I had to sit back and watch him strip you of your power. I’m glad you’re finally taking it back.”

  “I’m stopping at the office before the airport to talk to my dad. And then, I’ll be back… well, I’m not sure when. I guess it depends on Nate and if he finishes the game.”

  “He’ll do it,” she says with confidence. “Nate was an idiot to let you walk away before. He won’t make the same mistake twice.”

  “I guess we’ll see. Nate has two months, and then I’m filing for an annulment.” She gasps, and I continue. “Look, I have to go. My Uber is here, and I have a few things to take care of before I leave.”

  “Text me when you land. Love your face. Miss you already.”

  After we say our goodbyes, I take the elevator to the ground floor and get into the silver BMW that’s double-parked in front of the building. We drive in silence to the Queen Takes King headquarters. I stare out the window, looking up at the skyscrapers we pass, and ten minutes later, I’m riding the elevator to the executive floors that overlook City Hall. An eerie chill rolls down my arms the entire ride up to the twenty-third floor. I had the same feeling six weeks ago, except this one is different. Because I’m saying goodbye.

  A few of the coders greet me on my way to my dad’s office. I get a sad smile from one of the secretaries. Everyone has heard about our sham marriage by now. Even Willow knew, and she’s three hours behind east coast time. Bad news travels fast, no matter the distance.

  I roll my suitcase down the hallway, unable to look up at anyone as I pass by the Coder Cave at the center of this floor. The hallway curves, and as I pass Nate’s closed door, I let out a sigh of relief. He’s not in his office. His secretary is at his usual post with an angry expression on his tired face. I bet Nate is making his life hell today, having one tantrum after the other.

  When I stop in front of my father’s office, I remove a slip of paper from my purse. His secretary rings him to let him know that I am here. She nods to give the okay, and I walk through the door. My hand shakes so badly I’m afraid I will lose my grip on the most important letter I have ever written.

  “Harley.” My dad straightens the red tie around his neck and groans. “I thought you were taking the day off.”

  I drop the letter onto his desk.

  His eyes glaze over. “What’s this?”

  I throw my hand onto my hips, glaring down at him. “Open it.”

  His eyes widen as he reads. “You’re resigning?”

  “Effective immediately,” I shoot back with venom in my tone.

  “Look,” he says, his eyebrows furrowed with concern, “I know you’re mad at Nate, and you have every right to be, but we need you here.”

  “You never thought so before. For as long as I have worked for this company, you have wanted me gone. But you couldn’t fire your only child, so you put up with me. You denied me positions I earned just to spite me. I’m done being used, abused, and lied to by you. You let me waste years of my time and energy on a dead-end career. You let Stefan have the job I wanted. Nate got a seat on the board, a real executive position, and I got nothing. Your love and respect would have been enough for me, but you couldn’t even give me that.”

  “Harley,” he snaps, getting out of his chair. “Don’t do this. You can’t take it back once you leave this office.”

  “I’m going back to LA and taking my old job back until I can find something more suitable.”

  He grinds his teeth, turning his head away from me to look out the windows. “We need you to stand with Nate while he makes a press release about your marriage.”

  I laugh. “Not going to happen. My flight leaves in three hours. I have to get to the airport. You and Nate can figure out how to deal with the mess you created.”

  I spin on my heels, dragging my suitcase. He calls out my name, but I don’t stop until I reach the elevators. I don’t even look at or speak to anyone as I leave this life behind.

  * * *

  Willow rolls the convertible top down, and a soft breeze blows through my hair. The air smells different in California. Back in Philly, it was so damn cold my skin kept cracking. Even my hair had lost its shine. There’s something magical about Los Angeles. From the palm trees to the sunshine, I drink it all in, and my skin tingles with excitement. It’s still a little chilly this time of year, but I don’t mind the cold air on my neck. It feels amazing after being bundled up in winter coats for the last six weeks.

  After we leave the airport, we park at In-N-Out Burger and order the most amazing burgers, fries, and shakes. Unlike most fast-food restaurants, they make everything from scratch. I fell in love with this place right after I moved to SoCal. Once a month, I convince Willow to break her diet to enjoy one of my greatest pleasures.

  Willow turns in her seat, peeling back the paper on her burger. “How are you doing, lady? You look like you could use a hug and a gallon of wine.”

  I bite into my burger and nod. “I want to hide under my bed and stay there until all of this shit blows over with Nate. Otherwise, I’m okay.”

  “Nate screwed up,” she says between bites. “He’s an ass for lying to you. But at some point, you have to go back home. You can’t run away from him.”

  “This is my home,” I point out. “My name is still on the lease. My stuff is still here.”

  “LA was your home,” she corrects. “Must I remind you that you’re still Mrs. Nathan King? That sexy piece of ass you married still belongs to you.”

  I pop a fry into my mouth and chew. “I’m well aware.”

  She chuckles. “I don’t know how you were just friends with him before. I mean, seriously… with a face and body like that, how did you resist him? You really lucked out in the husband lottery.”

  “It’s not over,” I confess. “Nate has two months to finish the game we were working on.”

  “What does that mean? Speak my lingo, babe.”

  “Every spring, 10X Games hosts a gamer convention in LA. Our company has several booths reserved. Nate has to finish the video game before the event to show me that he’s serious about us.”

  “You evil genius,” she says with a wicked smirk. “So, this isn’t a breakup?”

  “No. This is Nate’s chance to step up.”

  “What happens if he doesn’t finish it?”

  I roll my shoulders against the leather seat. “Then, I guess he’s not serious about our future.”

  “He’ll finish it,” she says with confidence.

  “You think so?”

  “I know so. I watched you two together. The way he looked at you as you walked down the aisle made my skin tingle. When I get married, I want my husband to look at me the way Nate looks at you.”

  “I hope he follows through.”

  “I don’t get it, babe.” She narrows her eyes at me. “If you want to be with him, then why did you leave?”

  “I needed to get away from everything.”

  “You could’ve locked yourself inside Nate’s apartment. You didn’t have to leave him.”

  “He lied to me. I know it’s not an end of the world lie, but I’m still upset that he didn’t tell me about Alexa. I put my ass on the line for him. We promised there wouldn’t be any secrets between us. And if I stayed in Philly, it would have sent him the message that he can lie in the future and get away with it.”

  “What does the video game have to do with anything?”

  “Nate’s had a mental block with it for years. He needs the motivation. He loves a challenge. I bet he hasn’t stopped working on it since I left. I just hope he finishes it in time because I’m sticking to what I said. He has two months.”

  Willow pats me on the arm and smiles. “He’ll get it done. That man is in love with you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Nate

  Danika storms into my office with an angry scowl plastered on her face. She sinks into one of the chairs in front of my desk and shakes her head.

  “You fucked everything up,” she yells. “And you’re going to fix it.”

  If Danika wasn’t like a second mother to me, I would throw her ass out of my office. So, instead, I take it like a man and let her scold me like a child.

  “Harley left before I could get a statement from her. Did you know that she resigned as Lead Creative Director?”