Spend A Night with My Crush

The moment I heard Jack Ray's ex-wife was back, I had my bags packed and was out the door within two minutes.

Okay, not exactly on the spot—I'd been ready to bolt for a while.

Half a year back, when my career was in the dumps, I ran into my high school heartthrob, Jack. He was already running his family's enterprise and, get this, secretly married.

He eyed me, a mischievous smirk curling his lips.

"You look just like my lady."

I was about to make a dash for it, but then he threw me a curveball, "My lady's vanished. How's five million to play her double?"

Honor's one thing, but money talks—I wasn't about to fuss over it.

So, I moved into the Ray mansion and stepped into the role of the ever-dutiful wife.

I never snooped around his whereabouts or checked his phone.

But I was clear on my part: just the understudy, always prepped to exit stage left.

These are my rules: no drama, no strings, no looking back!

Time to cut and run!

After rolling my suitcase out the door, I went back in to make one last sweep of the place.

Satisfied that I'd left not a trace, I finally breathed easy and flagged down a cab.

All the while, I couldn't help but think, "I'm one hell of a stand-in!"

Dozing off in the back of the cab, I was snapped awake by a text from Jack.

"The lady's back. Come with me to pick her up."

It hit me like a ton of bricks.

And those bricks should've struck him, not me!

The real deal's in town and he wants a decoy for company? Man, that's cold!

It tore me up inside.

My high school dreamboat, my once-shiny knight—how did he end up like this?

I blocked Jack right then.

No one was going to taint my pristine memories of him—not even him!

By the time he rang again, I was already at the airport.

He dialed from an unknown number since I'd blocked all known contacts.

"Sophie Morris, where the heck are you headed?"

"Get back and we will talk!"

I exhaled deeply.

Falling for a fill-in isn't just for novels, turns out it's real life too.

Real life's more of a soap opera than any book!

"The lady's back, so it's my cue to bow out."

"Jack, let me go. Live your life well with your lady!"

I've got my principles. His ex is back, and I won't play the mistress!

Silence on the line, then Jack finally spoke, "Sophie, come back. You two might hit it off, maybe even like each other."

I was confused, "What?"

"Jack, what's that supposed to mean? You can't possibly want us both?" I snapped.

Jack just grunted.

My blood pressure skyrocketed, "You think you're some king, wanting a whole harem?"

I hung up and took a sip of my bubble drink.

Oh, the agony—when did my shining moonlight dim so much!

I pocketed my phone to go check-in.

After half a year with Jack, between his random gifts and the initial five million, I had racked up $6,200,000. I was set to retire somewhere nice!

Yet, before I could check in, someone scooped me up and carried me right out of the airport.

"Jack, put me down! I've got my ticket all ready!"

"With the real lady back, why keep me? Isn't that awkward?"

I struggled relentlessly.

But for Jack, I was nothing but a feather.

With his gym-honed muscles, he easily carried me away.

He dumped me in the car, and the driver peeled out before I could even ask to get off.

"Jack, how can you do this to your ex?" I exploded.

Jack turned to me, his eyes stormy.

"Is this why you're ditching?" he asked.

I nodded firmly.

He looked me over seriously, then unexpectedly laughed.

"Go back and check. If you don't like her, I'll send my lady packing," he said.

My face was a mask of confusion and shock.

Seriously, what was he thinking?