Too Pretty to Be Your Backup novel Chapter 10

Amanda loved everything about Springfield.

Just like its name promised, the whole city was bursting with flowers. You could buy them on every corner, and they were so cheap it almost felt like stealing. Amanda adored balloon flowers, so of course, she treated herself to a bouquet. Holding them close, breathing in their sweet scent, she felt pure happiness bubbling up inside her.

She wandered through dozens of flower shops, chatting with shop owners and collecting their contacts. When she went back to Rocktown to open her own flower shop, she’d need suppliers—and now she had a whole list of them. She was busy, but it was the kind of happy, hopeful busy that made her heart feel light. She could already picture her own place—delicate, beautiful, full of flowers and charm. Just thinking about it felt like a little taste of happiness.

While scrolling online, she’d found a steakhouse in Springfield that everyone raved about. The place was so popular you had to win a spot in a lottery just to get a reservation. She’d entered as soon as she decided to visit the city, not really expecting anything. Then, just a few minutes ago, she got the message—she’d won a table for seven o’clock tonight.

She let out a squeal and did a little happy dance. Seriously, it was like her luck had turned around ever since she let go of the wrong person.

She spent extra time on her makeup that evening, just to look her best, and headed out to the restaurant. Amanda showed her reservation number at the door.

“Number nine,” she said.

The moment the host saw her number, his whole attitude shifted. He straightened up and smiled politely. “Ms. Tully, please follow me.”

She knew this place was a big deal, but she hadn’t expected service like this. The host was practically rolling out the red carpet, as if she were some VIP. He led her straight to a private room.

Amanda paused, confused. “It’s just me. Do I really need a whole private room?”

Prices were at a thousand bucks a head, so it wasn’t exactly cheap. But maybe this was the kind of luxury you paid for here. No wonder this place was always booked solid.

However, the second she stepped inside the private room and saw who was waiting for her, every good impression she’d had about the restaurant vanished.

Honestly, running into Travis in Hayfield had been enough of a shock. Now here he was in Springfield too? It couldn’t be more obvious—he was following her. She wasn’t stupid.

Once upon a time, maybe this would’ve made her cry. But now, it just made her tired.

Travis stood up, all six-foot-three of him towering over her. At five-six, Amanda suddenly felt small, but she refused to be intimidated.

His voice softened. “About the engagement party—I know I messed up. I hurt you, and I apologize. It won’t happen again. I’ll make it right, I promise. I’ll give you a celebration even bigger than before.”

Amanda immediately threw her hands up and made an X sign. “No way! Please, just stop. We’re done. There’s not going to be any engagement party.”

She pressed her palms together in a pleading gesture. “You and Leila are perfect for each other. I was just in the way. Now that we’ve broken up, you can throw that party for her. Please, just stay with her and leave me out of it, okay?”