Leonie Waldorf and Ian James hate each other. Not dislike. not barley tolerate. Hate. When he's needs a tutor and she's needs to make her ex jealous they make a deal. It doesn't take long for them to realize what they really want. Each other. But ar...
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Leonie Waldorf
"Let's make a bet," Amber said, siding to my side with a mischievous grin.
I tore my eyes away from the models waltzing Elijah's designs down the runway. Each piece drew the crowd in like moths to a flame. Well, besides Ivy, who's too busy staring into her phone well applying lipstick. She'd already told me "No designs are worth seeing but yours".
Still, even from behind the curtain Elijah's craft was undeniable. "Why would I make a deal with someone whose presence I can't stand".
"Ouch. and here I thought we were besties" Amber said, her tone dripping sarcasm. Her gaze stayed locked on Elijah's pieces on the runway. Arm crossed, she tried to look unaffected by the applause. "If I win the contest, you'll do me a favor." A cough slipped from my throat, shocked she'd think I would do anything for her.
"Scared?" She asked, voice light but eyes sharp.
"Not scared, just disgusted by the thought of doing anything for you."
She shrugged, brushing off my insult. "If you win, which won't happen, I'll keep my opinions to myself. No more totally amusing remarks about you or your relationship."
"Woah, so you'll finally shut up? I've dreamed of that happening."
It was a dangerous offer. Amber was the last person I'd ever want to owe. She's power-hungry, bratty, and underhanded. But if I backed down it would look like I wasn't confident enough to beat her or anyone in her eyes. I can't have that. I'd never backed down from Amber before and I wasn't starting tonight.
"Deal," I said.
Too caught up in our back and forth, I didn't notice who was walking Elijah's final piece. But when I did the crowd seemed to fall silent. The music faded in my ears and the stage lights dimmed in my mind.
Not because of the dress.
Because who was wearing it.
Sofia.
My stomach twisted so hard I swore the seams in my dress holding me together might split. The last time I saw Sofia, she'd been smiling while ruining Ian's and I relationship. Here she is now, doing it all again.
—
All the designs had walked. Every competitor now stood onstage, awaiting their faith as the judges made their decision.
"Your designs were wonderful, L. You definitely deserve to win," Elijah murmured beside me.
"I would've said the same to you, if you'd chosen a better model." My voice was cold, but the hurt ran deep. He'd seen what Sofia had done to me and still picked her to represent his work. What kind of friend does that?
"I didn't picture you as a villain, Eli. Picking the girl who came onto her boyfriend and still tried to get into that very dysfunctional family by almost marrying Ian's father! You've got some balls." Amber cut in from my other side.
