Page 635 of Manhattan Bossholes

“But here’s what I really want to say. No matter how things ended up with Cameron, I want all of you to know that I’m glad I took a chance on love.” She paused to take a breath. “Because it was magical.”

Felicity smiled, and I found myself smiling back, dazed. Until I realized this was not at all what I expected.

“I experienced a fairy tale. I had the best time, as you probably witnessed.” She giggled. “We attracted a lot of attention, you know?”

“There’s more to it, though,” her expression went serious again. “It wasn’t just fun. CamLicity gave me a new understanding of what it means to be in a relationship. I learned about how it felt to have a supportive partner. Someone who encouraged me to achieve my dreams. Someone who listened, really listened to me. He made me feel important, and special. Needed. Wanted.” Felicity looked down and fiddled with the fringe on the pillow. “Trust me, I haven’t always been that lucky.”

She smiled again, and I smiled back despite the pain in my heart. Why was she being so kind?

“So yeah, guys, CamLicity is no more. I know you’re all disappointed, but sometimes you play the game and get your heart broken.” She shrugged. “That’s life.”

She was trying to look nonchalant, but I could see she was hiding pain.

“But here’s the thing…when you come out the other side of a heartbreak, you have to look for the good things you can take from your time together. It might feel impossible at first, especially when you’re still feeling all those bleak emotions.” She made a swirling gesture in front of her chest. “But I promise, if you do, you’ll wind up stronger in the end.”

Felicity slid off the couch and moved closer to her phone, filling the screen with her beautiful face.

“One last thing. Ladies, I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to wait for someone to buy you jewelry. You’re worth it, go get that sparkler you’ve been eyeing! Like this…I bought this piece for myself,” she leaned closer and held up a gold necklace with an infinity symbol on it. “It will always remind me of my time with Veritique and how my work there helped me to believe in myself. Isn’t it beautiful?” She chuckled. “This is not spon-con, I promise you, but I did get it from Veritique, if you want your own.”

Sandrine laughed and cheered. “Ever the marketer!”

“Anyway, that’s it for me,” Felicity said. “Just remember, love makes you stronger, my friends. I hope that’s a message we can all remember.”

The video ended with a close-up of Felicity’s face, and despite all of the upbeat cheerleading, I could see sadness in her eyes.

“Wow,” Alessandra sighed.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “That was unexpected.”

“Very much so,” Sandrine agreed. “She’s a class act. We’re lucky to have her.”

My mouth went tight. Why did I have a bad feeling about her tenure with Veritique?

“We need to connect with her, to put together some sort of united message,” Sandrine said. She was studying the still image of Felicity on the wall. “Her video was a good start, but we should do something official.” She paused. “Honestly, I’ve been holding off on broaching it with you, but we really can’t wait much longer.”

No one had ever come out and said it, but everyone knew CamLicity had grown into something deeper than just a publicity stunt.

“Fine,” I replied quickly. “Why don’t you draft something, and I’ll take a look?”

“Well, I was hoping that…” she broke off and looked at Alessandra. “Okay, I’ll put together a few options for you.”

When I left, the pair were standing close together, talking softly and no doubt dissecting everything in Felicity’s video. I was too weary to give it any thought.

I noticed people scurried the other way as I walked back to my office. It was as if there was a storm cloud hanging over my head.

The mountain of work waiting for me felt impossible. What the hell was happening to me? I couldn’t focus on a damn thing. I swiveled in my chair to look out at the skyline, hoping inspiration might strike me.

Nothing.

My phone buzzed and I jumped at it, which was strange since lately it had been the bearer of bad news only.

A text from my brother. “Lunch?”

I frowned. We hadn’t talked since the blowup at the tavern, so why was he reaching out now? Maybe he’d gotten wind of Felicity’s video? He was like that—willing to look past our differences when he sensed I needed him.

Why couldn’t I do the same?

“That works. Your choice.”