Ben swiped my laptop away, pouting. “I’m right
here, this handsome dude. And you’re staring at
some old dude? What’s up with that?”
First time I’d ever heard anyone call Liam old. I
laughed. I’d love to see Liam’s face if he heard
that. When I finally stopped, I noticed Ben was
serious.
“Is that him? The guy who hurt you? Liam
Sterling? I know him.”
I looked at him, confused. I’d never met Ben at
Liam’s house.
“My mom made me call him Uncle when I was a
kid.”
I was laughing again, falling back on the
sofa, clutching my stomach. “You called him
く
54
uncle?! He’s like, four years older than you!”
Ben squeezed my face. “He looked old for his
age.” Liam was always so serious, he did always seem older.
“So, you’re the missing Mrs. Sterling?” Ben suddenly got super close.
I realized I’d leaned into him and was lying on
his lap, laughing. I tried to sit up, but he held me still, needing an answer.
“Yeah, I am.”
“Am I your side piece then?” Ben cracked up at his own joke.
I smacked his arm. “Don’t say that! I’m not with
Liam anymore. And I gave him back his ring.”
“I’ll call a lawyer, you should get a divorce
tomorrow!”
<
11:55
((
54)
“We never had a marriage certificate…” I smiled bitterly. The only thing we had was that ring.
Liam probably forgot about that too.
“Then marry me, now!”
I stared at the brand new marriage certificate, still in shock. I always thought my certificate
would have a picture of me and Liam. I never
imagined it wouldn’t be him. Ben talked me into
this “fake” marriage to appease his family.
Ben took the certificate. “I’ll show this to Mom.
She thinks I’m pulling a fast one.”
The whole thing was unreal. I had the huge
wedding with no marriage certificate, now I
have the certificate but no wedding. I was
weirdly at peace, though. I didn’t have any
expectations, so I wouldn’t be disappointed.
Ben came back after showing the certificate
with good news. “My parents said yes to my art
<
exhibition! This new collection is my best yet!”
A month later, Ben’s art show opened. I had to
work, so I didn’t get there until 8 pm. As I came
in, I saw a figure in the crowd who looked like
Liam. Probably someone who looks similar, I
thought. I went into the gallery, most of the
paintings were familiar. I saw a group of women
passing, looking excited.
“OMG! Ben is up there! Let’s get his
autograph!
“I heard this is his last show, we’ll never have
another chance.”
I looked where they were looking, and Ben was
signing autographs. He was taller than everyone
there. I thought this was his first show, why
would it be his last? I looked around, and saw
the bio of Ben at the entrance. He was already
famous, his paintings were touring the country,
and he was selling them at crazy prices.
I stood there, not sure if I wanted to go over to him. This Ben was different from the guy next
door, who makes faces at me and asks for a hug. I turned around and left.
Outside, I saw Liam talking on the phone. So I wasn’t seeing things, he was there.
Liam kept dialing a number he hadn’t dialed in
months, even though he knew it was
disconnected. It was the only number he had to
find her.
