Too Pretty to Be Your Backup novel Chapter 16

The so–called house manager–everyone knew that meant Amanda.

Travis‘ hand froze mid–pour. He filled his glass again, tossed the whiskey back, and slammed the empty glass down on the coffee table, loud enough to make the whole room shake.

“She won’t.”

His voice sounded rough, heavy with anger and a hint of defeat.

Mateo, unfazed, steered the conversation right to Amanda, one brow arched. Honestly, everyone knew about Travis and Amanda. That engagement party was supposed to be a big deal. Then it got called off, just like that. On the day everything fell apart, Amanda packed her bags and left London.

People started betting on how long she’d stay away. Even Mateo got in on it. Pretty much everyone in their circle placed bets. Mateo had picked the longest time: ten days. Most people guessed one, two, maybe three. No one thought she’d last more than five.

It wasn’t about the money. It was just something for everyone to talk about. Travis‘ situation was the city’s favorite gossip.

And then today, Travis walked back in with Amanda. Nobody saw that coming. Everyone assumed Amanda would come back on her own, maybe embarrassed, maybe desperate. Instead, Travis had gone to get her himself. Rumor was, he carried her off the plane.

But in the end, none of that mattered. Mateo won. Amanda had been gone for two weeks, and since his was the longest bet, he took the pot.

Mateo leaned in, testing the waters. “She’s really mad this time, huh?”

Travis‘ brows drew together, his whole vibe tense. The past few days had been a mess thanks to Amanda. Without thinking, he asked, “It was just an engagement party. Was it really worth all this?”

Mateo shrugged. “Who knows? If you think it’s nothing, then it’s nothing. But my sister’s been cursing your name for two weeks straight.”

Mateo’s younger sister, Cindy, was a force of nature–spoiled, stubborn, impossible to please. Hardly anyone in town made the cut for her. But somehow, Amanda, that country girl, had won Cindy over. They were best friends now.

So for the last two weeks, Cindy had been calling Travis a jerk at every meal, every phone call, and every chance she got. She wasn’t letting it go anytime soon.

Honestly, Cindy was probably the only person in all of London who actually stood up for Amanda, who thought Amanda deserved better.

Travis didn’t say a word, just poured himself another drink and knocked it back. When he spoke, his voice was tight, practically grinding out the words.

“She wants to break up with me.”

Mateo’s eyes widened in shock.

Amanda wanted to break up? After seven years together?

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Chapter 16

He turned to Travis, looking honestly baffled. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

Travis‘ eyes snapped up, cold and furious, almost daring Mateo to keep talking.

Mateo put his hands up in surrender. “Don’t look at me like that. I mean, Isn’t this what you wanted? Amanda’s not really from our world. You weren’t actually serious about marrying her, right? She was fun for a few years, but when it comes to settling down, you need someone who matches you.

Someone like Leila. She’s perfect for you.”

Mateo wasn’t being cruel, just matter–of–fact.

It was the truth. Amanda’s only real asset was her beauty–gorgeous enough to turn heads, maybe even to be someone’s pretty little secret. But to actually marry her? Her background just wasn’t enough.

Travis‘ voice went ice cold. “Mateo!”