Contract Marriage: I Will Never Love You-Chapter 141: Dreamy Eyed

Josh

I close the studio door behind me and exhale, tugging a hand through my hair.

God, Hailey was brilliant back there. Fierce. Unapologetic. Watching her go toe-to-toe with Marcus was like watching a storm roll in. Impossible to ignore and absolutely magnetic.

I drop into the worn chair in the corner of the break room, prop my phone on the table, and tap to open the video call. Rebecca’s face appears within seconds.

"You look like you’ve got a bee in your bonnet," she chirps instead of saying hello, inching closer to her webcam like a detective in a noir film. "Did something bonkers happen?"

"Riley happened," I grumble, giving my jaw a frustrated rub like it’s a magic lamp about to grant me patience.

Rebecca’s eyebrows knit together in a tapestry of confusion. "Riley?"

"My ex-girlfriend Riley, Becky. You know, the one who’s all ’I can’t have a boyfriend because my fans need to believe they have a shot.’ That Riley."

"Oh, right. What about her?" Rebecca perks up, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"She showed up on set this morning. Apparently, Marcus hired her to be a model."

Rebecca’s eyes widen. "Are you kidding me?"

"Wish I was," I say.

"Well, she did dream of becoming a supermodel. Is she any good?" Rebecca asks.

"She’s all over the place. Posing like she’s selling teeth-whitening kits instead of high fashion. Hailey’s trying to salvage the shoot, but it’s a mess." I groan.

Rebecca scoffs. "Hilarious. Why did Marcus Winters hire her?"

"I think to mess with me," I reply.

Rebecca raises an eyebrow, leaning in closer to the webcam. "Mess with you? Why would Marcus care enough to do that?"

I shrug, slouching back in the chair. "Honestly? I think it’s less about me and more about Hailey. He’s got the hots for her. Maybe he thought bringing Riley in would...I don’t know, ruin our relationship or something?"

Rebecca’s lips curl into a smirk. "Oh, he wanted drama. And from what you’re telling me, he got it."

"Hailey handled it, though," I say, and I can’t stop the pride from creeping into my voice. "She shut him down. Called him out on it."

Rebecca’s smirk turns into a full-blown grin. "So things are heating up between you, huh?"

"Yeah," I mutter, letting the thought linger. "She’s incredible."

Rebecca tilts her head, giving me a knowing look. "Uh-oh. Someone’s smitten."

I shoot her a warning glare. "Don’t start."

"What? I’m just observing. You’ve got that dopey, ’I can’t stop thinking about her’ look. It’s adorable, really."

I groan. "Becky, I’ve got enough going on without you turning this into some rom-com subplot."

Rebecca leans back in her chair, holding up her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. But, seriously, Josh. What’s the deal with Riley? Does she think she’s going to win you back or something?"

"God, I hope not," I say, grimacing. "She’s been acting like we’re old friends catching up, but it’s so fake. The way she laughs at everything, the way she keeps touching my arm, it’s all for show. She just wants clout."

"Hmm...damn, you are having so much fun over there while I am bored to tears. Maybe I should come over there too," she says, brightening up.

I laugh under my breath, the first real one I’ve had all day. "Trust me, you don’t want to step into this circus. Unless you’ve got a whip and a lion-taming outfit."

Rebecca grins. "Tempting. I do have that sparkly gold jumpsuit from Halloween..."

"You mean the one that gave you a rash for a week?"

"Details," she says with a wave. "But seriously, you okay? You sound stressed."

I rub my eyes. "I’m exhausted. Between Hailey trying to keep the shoot from falling apart and Riley treating it like an influencer content day, I’m ready to crawl under the lighting rig and disappear."

Rebecca’s smile softens. "Hey. You’re doing good. You always do good."

"Thanks."

I turn around as I hear footsteps. Hailey walks in, furrowing her brows. "Who are you talking to?" she asks.

I gesture toward the phone with a sheepish smile. "Rebecca," I say. "She called to check in. Apparently, my misery’s her favorite form of entertainment."

Hailey walks over, arms crossed loosely over her chest. "Hi Rebecca." frёewebnoѵēl.com

Rebecca lights up when she sees Hailey. "The Hailey! The legend, the storm in heels."

Hailey raises an eyebrow, amused. "I don’t think I’ve ever been called a storm in heels before, but... thanks?"

"She means that as the highest compliment," I cut in, rubbing the back of my neck. "Becky’s got a flair for drama."

Rebecca winks. "I just appreciate a woman who doesn’t take crap from anyone. You should’ve seen how proud this one looked while talking about you." She nods toward me. "All dreamy-eyed and lovesick."

Hailey smirks, shooting me a sideways glance. "Dreamy-eyed, huh?"

I sigh. "I’m gonna regret this call for the rest of my life."

"No, no," Rebecca says, waving a hand. "You’re going to thank me later when I get to give the ’I knew it before they did’ speech at your wedding."

Hailey laughs, a sound that instantly lightens the air in the room. "Don’t encourage her."

"Oh, I’m way past encouragement," Rebecca replies. "I’m mentally writing my maid-of-honor speech. Spoiler alert—it’s hilarious."

I cover my face with my hands. "Okay, I’m hanging up now."

Rebecca grins wide. "Love you, too, Josh. And Hailey? You rock. Keep calling out douchebags in skinny jeans."

Hailey chuckles. "Will do."

I tap to end the call, shaking my head as the screen goes black. "She’s ridiculous."

"She’s awesome," Hailey says, settling into the chair beside me. "Also... dreamy-eyed?"

I glance at her, her eyes playful but questioning.

I shrug, unable to fight the smile tugging at my mouth. "What can I say? You’re kind of hard not to fall for."

The teasing drops from her face, replaced by something softer. Something real.

She nudges her knee against mine. "Good. Because I think I already fell."

My heart skips. Just a beat. Maybe two.

The room suddenly feels smaller, quieter like the world paused just long enough for her words to echo a little louder.

I blink, trying to make sure I didn’t imagine it. "You... you did?"

Hailey gives a tiny shrug, the corner of her mouth lifting. "Yeah. I think it happened somewhere between your terrible playlist and the way you always notice when I need a break."

I huff a laugh, warmth spreading through my chest like sunlight after a long winter. "My playlist is not terrible."

"It’s an emotional rollercoaster," she counters, smirking. "I went from The Cure to Taylor Swift to a sea shanty in ten minutes."

"That shanty slaps, and you know it."

She giggles, and I could bottle that sound and live off it. Then her expression shifts again—open, unguarded. "But seriously... this thing with us. It’s not just fun for me. It feels... right."

I nod, the words sticking in my throat because same. God, same.

I reach over and take her hand, her fingers cool and steady against mine. "Then let’s not let anyone...Riley, Marcus, whoever mess it up."

Her grip tightens.

"Deal," she says softly.