Page 68 of Replacement
I shrug. “But I don’t want to be Amber forever. I want to be Jade.”
“So be Jade.”
“I don’t want you to be plastered over every gossip site and tabloid. You don’t deserve that kind of notoriety.”
“Neither do you.”
“But it’s not your fault this is happening. It is mine. I’m happy to take responsibility. I just don’t want you to get a shitload of negative consequences from it.”
He works his jaw for a few moments, obviously thinking. Then, “Okay. Let’s think about it awhile. We can probably come up with a workable plan. And if that fails, then we can simply pay her off.”
“What? You said you didn’t want her to get your money.”
“I don’t. Out of principle. But there are a number of problems here that can be dealt with by throwing money at her.” He lifts my face so I’m meeting his eyes. “Jade, I don’t care about money that much. And even if I did, I have plenty. I can spare the original amount in my contract with her without blinking. So if what we try doesn’t work, then we can offer her what she wants. It will be worth it to me to just have the problem taken care of.”
“Okay. What… what will we tell other people when I’m suddenly Jade?”
“We can tell the truth to the people we care about, and we can tell absolutely nothing to anyone else. It’s not their business that I’m with Jade Delacourte instead of Amber.”
“Maybe they’ll think I just changed my name.”
He huffs with amusement. “They might. It doesn’t matter. I want to be with Jade, so I’m going to be with her. Nothing is going to get in my way.”
“Okay. Let’s work on a plan then.”
“Good. Then once we deal with Montaigne, we’ll be free and clear to live our lives any way we like.”
I smile up at him rather mistily. “I can’t wait.”
* * *
“So that’s the whole story,” I say three days later, concluding a twenty-five-minute explanation to Haley of how I ended up taking Amber’s place. “As wacky and convoluted as you can imagine. But I’m really sorry I lied to you. I didn’t feel like I had much choice, but I did lie.”
She shrugs, her eyes wide and her mouth turned up in what looks like thrilled bemusement. “Of course you didn’t have a choice! I’m amazed you managed as well as you did. I knew something was off. Iknewit. It felt like you were a different person, and I simply couldn’t understand it.”
This is the first time I’ve left the apartment since spotting Montaigne at the park. William has arranged for security for me. My bodyguard checked out this coffee shop before I got out of the car, and now he’s standing at the entrance. I don’t want to live in constant fear, but I’m nervous. Things are finally working out, and I don’t want a stalker to ruin everything for me. So I’ve been hesitant to go out in public and had to make myself meet Haley here almost an hour ago. But I want to build a life for myself that includes real friendships, so I forced myself to overcome my nerves. “I was. You were completely right. You and William were the only ones who had any suspicions at all, but I think that’s because Amber was so distant with everyone rather than me having any particular knack for deception.”
“Oh, you were good. But yes, Amber’s life made it easier. So William figured it out a while ago and didn’t tell you?”
“Right. He didn’t tell me.”
“You’re not mad about that?”
“No. What kind of hypocrite would I be if I was mad at him for lying to me?”
She opens her mouth to object, and I can predict what she’s going to say.
“I know this one thing doesn’t give him an excuse to lie for the rest of his life, just like I’ve committed not to lie to him again. But he understood where I was coming from. Why I felt so desperate. And I understand where he was coming from too. He didn’t know who I was or what I was doing taking Amber’s place. And even when he started to figure out my intentions and motivations, he still…” I clear my throat, suddenly emotional. “He wanted me to trust him. He wanted me to come clean by choice, not because he forced my hand. And he was right. I needed to make that choice. I needed to trust him if we’re ever going to make this work.”
“He’s obviously crazy in love with you. It’s really very romantic.”
“Haley.” My cheeks warm, but I still get a thrill of excitement because I know she’s right.
“Don’t try to stop me from saying what’s obviously true. I get it’s still new to you, and you haven’t had a lot of experience in good relationships. But you’re allowed to admit it. You’re allowed to feel safe in it.”
I swallow hard and nod, dropping my eyes briefly. “I know. It is true. He loves me, and I love him too.”
We smile at each other for a minute. Then her expression changes. “Thanks for telling me. For trusting me. I won’t tell anyone.”