A sharp inhale caught in my throat. My stomach lurched.

Mike’s expression turned icy. “What the hell are you doing? We had a deal!”

Sandy folded her arms. “I can’t sit here and let you screw with her head. I’m not gonna let another woman doubt herself over a guy who isn’t worth it.”

A laugh bubbled up from my chest, dry and humorless. “You actually paid her to pretend to be your girlfriend?”

“He wanted you to be jealous,” Sandy said, turning to me. “Thought if you saw him with someone younger, happier, and head over heels for him, you’d come running back.”

“Karen, let me explain,” Mike said, stepping closer.

I held up a hand. “Don’t bother. For a second, I actually considered forgiving you, giving you another chance.”

Mike ran a hand through his hair, looking exasperated. “I was thinking maybe we could try an open relationship.”

That was it. I burst out laughing. “Wow. You are truly pathetic.”

Just as suddenly as it had stopped, the elevator shuddered and resumed its descent.

The moment the doors slid open, I stepped out without a second thought.

As I made my way forward, I pulled out my phone and dialed Rick—the chef who had been flirting with me for a while and had asked me out for dinner tonight. “Hey, Rick. I’ve decided to take you up on that dinner offer.”

Rick hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice filled with surprise. “Are you serious?”

A small smile played on my lips. “It’s Valentine’s Day, after all. Love always deserves a chance.”

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