Here Comes The Bride: False Affections With My Ex-Bully

ASTRID’S POV. "I mean, can you believe it?!" Yeah, trust me. I can. "I didn't actually think he would propose, especially since he's been talking about us moving to another state," my little sister, Harper, screamed from the phone. It is not that I am not happy for her; in this case, it's complicated. Especially knowing she was getting married to my ex. My Asher. The same guy who broke up with me over text because I was too "boring" for him. My fingers tapped softly against the glass. “You’re getting married… to Asher?” “Isn't that amazing?” Her tone clipped. “I mean, it’s romantic, right? He was always talking about finding the perfect girl cause all his exes were… distasteful. One thing led to another, and we just clicked.” Clicked “Harper, he’s my ex.” “Don’t be like that, Astrid.” “Like what?” “Angry, hung up. He clearly doesn’t miss you. I think you should move on. You know, you’re not getting any younger.” I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or scream. My fingers curled around my phone. “Congratulations, I guess.” I gritted my teeth. “Oh, when you’re coming, I thought you should know: we aren’t using boring colors. His ex-fiancé loved dusty yellow. Isn't that the ugliest thing?” I’m his ex-fiancée, Harper. And you know that. I was tempted to say. Instead, I gritted my teeth. “Can't make it. I’ve got work.” “Astrid, don’t be like that. Jealousy is an ugly thing.” “Excuse me?” “It’s just one wedding, a destination wedding, 30 days in Tuscany. You love those.” She released a heavy sigh. “I had a feeling you would be like this. Look, things happen. You have to accept that you weren’t the right woman for Asher. He’s with someone better now, his soulmate.” He didn’t find someone ‘better.’ Harper has always wanted whatever I had. She slept with my boyfriend in high school and in college. It shouldn’t be a surprise she went after Asher as well; I was foolish to have believed there were lines she wouldn’t cross. Before I could speak, “Look, Dad already booked your flight.” “Dad did what?” “He said if both his daughters aren’t there, people will talk. Which they will.” She paused. “You’re not going to make this a thing, are you?” “Harper…” “You’re the best. Remember, wear something not dusty yellow. See you in twenty-four hours, bye!” The line went dead. I stared at my screen, fingers tight around the device. I considered chucking it across the bar, but I could barely afford my rent. An additional bill for a new phone was a bad idea. I didn’t have time to cry. The walkie-talkie in my other hand vibrated. “Astrid, the boss is asking for you. Don’t forget to bring the pictures along. And no matter what, act quick. He’s in a sour mood.” I blinked back tears and lifted the stack of pictures. Getting to his office on the top floor didn’t take long. I balanced the stack on my knee and knocked. “Sir, I have the pictures here.” “Enter.” My shoulders tensed at that voice. No, it can't be. I snapped my eyes shut and took deep breaths to steady myself. My heart rate slowed; my breaths came out softer. ‘No. Astrid. It’s been six years. You left Levi Maverick to his world; he can't reach you here.’ Then, I pushed the door open. “Good evening, sir,” I muttered, while I walked as calmly as possible, my gaze fixed to the floor. I placed the pictures on his desk, turned around to bolt out of there when I heard him again; this time, his voice was unmistakable. “Come pick for me.” “S-sir?” I turned on my heel, heels digging into the floor. The second I turned around, there he was. In full flesh, Levi f*****g Maverick. He looked at me with the same rage-filled grey eyes, the corners of his lips curled with a smirk. His finger tapped softly on a glass of whiskey. He’d lifted one of the pictures, head slightly tilted. “Getting voted top two hottest men alive has its perks, I guess.” He observed. “I even got to pose nude for a magazine.” He met my gaze. “Wonderful, isn’t it?” I could barely form words. The fact that I was standing in front of him, my bully from high school and college…I wanted to wake up. I worked hard on my image, changed my hair to brunette; he always pulled on my ginger curls. “No?” He said with a husky chuckle. “Come here. Miss…” “Parker. Astrid Parker. From accounts.” I sighed internally; he doesn’t recognize me. With as much confidence as I had, I walked over with a gentle sway of my hips. My cheeks burned the second my eyes cut to the pictures on the table. It was him…naked as the day he was born. Keep your eyes on his chest, Astrid. No matter what. “Which one do you like? Miss Parker from accounts.” “Whichever you pick, sir.” I still didn’t look at him, or below his chest in the pictures. “Point to it. Which is your best feature?” Was he trying to get a rise out of me? I didn’t have time for this; not when my sister’s getting married to my ex. Two of whom I have to meet in a couple of hours. Plus, I needed to get away from him. If Levi recognizes me…. “Look at me, Miss Parker.” My ears tingled at the sound of his chair scraping against the marble. “I won't ask again.” The sooner I do this, the earlier I can bolt out of here to cry, I hope. So I cut my gaze from the spot beside his shoe and looked him in the eyes. Grey on my green ones, his lips curled with a smirk. He was as handsome as he was evil. Sharp jaw, chiselled muscles peeking through his suit, pearly white teeth, perfectly styled hair. I hate that the sight of him still made my heart race. He held a picture between us, my back pressed against the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. I squared my jaw, snatched the picture from his grip, walked over to the table, then smoothed the rest out. I looked at every single one of them; analyzed what I needed, then picked three. “These.” “Why?” he leaned against the glass, one hand buried in his pocket. “They…show your best features. Composition, lighting- these are the photographer’s best shots. Since this is a nude magazine issue, I think that’s the best move.” He tilted his head to the side. “That’s all?” ‘What else would you like me to access? Your personality? He was close, so close I could smell the alcohol on his breath. ‘His hand on my hip, one around my neck, our heavy breathing, mangled breaths inside the photo booth at our high school graduation party.’ Forget it, Astrid. “Can you tell that from three pictures?” I pretended to think. “Usually, I would need five.” For the first time, a glint appeared in his eyes. Not with annoyance, but with something dangerously close to amusement. His throat rumbled with a soft laugh before he walked over. He glanced at all three pictures, pulled one out, and handed it to me. “A gift.” “I don’t want your gift, sir.” Especially not a nude picture of him, damn it. “I insist, Astrid from accounts.” He grinned, pearly white teeth on display. “There’s no need to pretend now. Women all over the country are waiting for these to be released. You get an exclusive peek and a picture. I know you’re elated.” “As I said, no thank you.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “You’re my boss; you had me perform a task. I do not need a reward.” “Hm.” He nodded slowly, eyes brushing over my face before he dropped the other two pictures. He stepped away from me suddenly, letting me breathe air that wasn’t his. I watched him walk out, my face twisted with a frown as I went after him. Still holding onto one of the pictures, he stopped at his secretary’s desk; my bag was on it. There was no one else on this floor besides us. “No known name.” he lifted the cheap leather. “This must be yours.” He unzipped it, slid the picture in, then zipped it shut. “Your gift.”