Free The Arrangement: The Seduction (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Carly Phillips Page B

and I lift my chin up, reminding myself to be proud.
    Finally the dean reading names reaches the Rs and my row. We stand and walk toward the stage single file.
    I hear my name. “Chloe Reynolds.”
    Reminding myself to shake with my right hand, accept the diploma with my left, I walk across the stage, handle the exchange, and smile.
    A little while later, we turn our tassels. Toss our caps. And students search for their family and friends. Friends I do have, and I hug and kiss the few people who have been a part of my life these past four years. The ones who’ve been nice and stood by me. Ignore the ones who snickered and laughed behind my back. Sex-tape girl graduated just like the rest of them.
    There’s no family to greet me or hand me flowers. No one to hug or congratulate me. I tell myself it’s fine. I didn’t expect my parents to come.
    Liar. I’d hoped they’d show up and surprise me with a change of heart. Tell me they’re proud of what I’ve accomplished.
    I shake my head and laugh. That’s about as likely to happen as I am to pick a guy I can trust.
    “I’m glad to see you can still laugh.”
    The familiar voice snakes through me, taking me off guard. I spin around in shock. “Zach?”
    He walks toward me. He doesn’t look like the man I know. He’s wearing dress slacks and loafers. They’re Gucci and expensive. His pale blue button-down shirt gives him a more sophisticated air than I’m used to, but surprisingly, the look suits him. He carries a bouquet of roses in one hand.
    “Congratulations, Princess.” He holds out the flowers.
    I accept them with shaking hands. “Thank you.”
    “I’m sure you have plans, but I was wondering if we could talk for a few minutes?” He sounds uncertain.
    I’m confused. I’m as drawn to him as ever. He’s handsome, sexy, the same man who protected me … yet he’s not. He’s a sophisticated stranger, and I realize there’s more about him I still don’t know.
    I shake my head. “I don’t.”
    He exhales a long breath. “Yeah. Well, it was worth a shot.” He turns to go.
    “Wait. I meant I don’t have plans.” I draw a deep breath and remind myself I don’t do pathetic. But this is Zach, and he knows everything. “There’s no one here for me but you,” I say.
    His green eyes flash with anger on my behalf. I recognize that look because I’ve seen it in his gaze so many times before. It’s that realization that allows me to hope.
    He’s here, after all. And I’ve been miserable. Could there be more between us than revenge? Can I forgive him if there is?
    “Can I take you somewhere to celebrate?” He’s hesitant, bracing himself for rejection.
    I draw a deep breath and nod. “I’d like that.”
    We’re back to uncomfortable and wary around each other, and I don’t like it. Does that mean I’m breaking down and forgiving him already?
    I turn in my cap and gown and meet him at the parking lot. We settle into his truck. The warm, familiar scent of his cologne wraps around me, and he starts to drive. I don’t ask where we’re going, but soon I see we’re headed out of the city, upstate.
    I turn to him, confused. “I don’t get it.”
    “You will.”
    I blow out an impatient breath, which makes him laugh.
    “I missed you,” he says, suddenly serious.
    I glance at my hands. “I missed you too. But I don’t understand—” I cut myself off. What can I say? I don’t understand what between us was real and what was a lie? What was forced and what meant something to him?
    Because it was all true for me, and it meant everything. I swallow over the lump in my throat.
    “Revenge is a lot easier in theory than in reality,” he says into the silence.
    I remain quiet.
    “I wanted to avenge what he did to my sister. I wanted to make sure he never forgot that he destroyed someone good and real. Someone who meant something to other people.”
    I nod. I couldn’t speak if I wanted to, and right now I don’t.
    “Once I decided you were