But next year had only made the stone in his gut that much heavier.

…

Arbor Bay High’s auditorium was prepped and ready for the pageant rehearsal later that afternoon. It was a far cry from the parade scene, yet Brady and Sloane had already been stopped four times on the way inside and told that Cassidy’s Place had had the funniest float. It might not have been the best-quality attempt or the most clever, but the general consensus was that people had enjoyed it. Considering Brady hadn’t wanted to do a float in the first place, he was pleasantly surprised.

Then again, Sloane had put together almost everything, so maybe not.

It only reaffirmed his belief that she must kick total ass at her event-planning jobs.

Of course, thinking about her jobs again had taken all the mirth he should have been feeling, and his mood plummeted. He knew Sloane felt it, but she never said a word. Not about that. Not about them. Not about what happened after the pageant was over.

And why should she?

Brady’s mood soured even more when they walked inside and the auditorium was filled with the pageant participants, volunteers, and Golden Boy himself.

When he saw them, he waved and smiled. That easy smile.

Salt in the other wound.

“So, I knew logically that being in a pageant meant being onstage in front of a lot of people, but I guess it hadn’t really hit me until now.” Sloane shook her head. “I’d forgotten how many seats were in here. What’s the thing you’re supposed to do to get over stage fright? Picture the audience in their underwear? Or is it naked?”

“If my regulars really do come to this thing, I suggest not picturing them in anything but what they’re wearing.” Even to Brady’s ears, his voice was cold. Clipped. He rolled his shoulders back, trying to distance himself from that damned piss-poor feeling that had been eating him up.

Sloane arched her eyebrow high. If she did ask what was wrong, what would he even say?

What we’ve been doing lately is nice, but you’re about to split, and I can’t come after you. Real romantic, huh?

Everything that had happened between them?

It wasn’t real.

It wouldn’t last. Not like her love for Marcus had. He’d been a fool to think otherwise.

“Well, how fun was that parade, huh?”

Carol looked like she’d just won the grand prize on The Price Is Right as she swooped into their sight line. She held a clipboard but never once looked at it.

Sloane nodded. “Yeah, it was! People are still uploading pictures and videos of our float!”

“It was smart to decorate Roger’s boat like a pirate ship. Even if the theme was supposed to be sailors.”

Sloane shrugged. “I’m just glad so many people seemed to enjoy it.”