Too Pretty to Be Your Backup novel Chapter 22

At HD Group. Travis wrapped up a long, exhausting day and got ready to head back to his villa. But the thought of Amanda gave him a headache he just couldn’t shake.

Without thinking, he opened their chat history. Message after message from Amanda filled the screen. His own replies were rare. As he scrolled through the endless conversation, one old text jumped out at him.

[I heard about a new steakhouse called Pretty. People say it’s amazing, Want to check it out with me?]

She’d sent that three months ago. He never replied. Maybe he’d been busy, maybe he just didn’t want to go. He honestly couldn’t remember.

After the mess with the engagement party, though, he knew he’d gone too far. He wanted to make things right, to at least offer an olive branch. So he texted Amanda about dinner and told his assistant to book the restaurant,

He was riding the elevator down from his office when his phone rang. Leila’s name flashed on the screen. He frowned and answered.

Leila’s voice was frantic, barely holding it together. “Travis! He’s here! I saw him–he’s right outside my apartment, just staring up at my window! Oh my god, he’s going to kill me! Travis, please, help me! Please!”

There was a crash, like the phone hit the floor, then nothing but panicked screaming through the line.

Travis‘ steps sped up, but his voice stayed calm. “Chad, get the car. We’re going to Rosemoor Hall.”

“Yes, sir.”

He slid into the back seat of his black Maybach, the dinner with Amanda suddenly coming to his mind.

[Sorry, something came up. You can start without me.]

At the restaurant, Amanda and Cindy both saw the message pop up on Amanda’s screen.

Amanda’s lips curled into a mocking little smile.

Cindy, on the other hand, was furious. “Seriously? Travis is this much of a jerk?”

She’d seen Amanda’s move and suddenly everything made sense. How did Amanda know Travis wouldn’t show up? The social post had only been visible to Leila, and sure enough, Travis bailed a second later. Who else could be behind it?

The worst part was, whenever Leila was involved, Amanda was always the one left out in the cold.

Amanda would be lying if she said it didn’t sting when Travis first canceled. But honestly, it didn’t hurt like it used to. Now, it was just a dull ache–totally manageable, almost easy to ignore.

She’d always known Leila was special to Travis. In the past seven years, she’d been tossed aside for Leila more times than she could count. By now, she was numb to it.

7/2

13:24

Chapter 2

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