I Was The Backup Plan, She Was The Return Chapter 05
People had always called him a genius, but for the first time
in his twenty–eight years, Julian’s mind went blank.
He needed to get home. Whatever had happened, he knew
he’d feel steadier once he saw Nora.
The fear and uncertainty were becoming more than he could stand.
He tried to control his panic as he pressed the elevator button.
He watched the floor numbers, growing more frantic with every second.
He was about to push through the stairwell door and run
down all twenty–one floors when an elevator chimed behind him.
He turned as the doors opened and Sloane stepped out.
looking pleased with herself.
Julian, where are you going?”
What’s it to you?”
Sloane was making it almost impossible for him to stay civil.
Her smile faltered, but she recovered quickly.
His attitude had irritated her ever since she’d returned. She’d
assumed he was still angry that she’d left him behind when
she moved abroad, angry enough to marry someone like Nora.
Now she was back, and Nora or anyone else who got in her
way would have to go.
“What’s wrong? I’m only asking because I care.”
A little charm usually worked on men, especially someone
like Julian, who was warmer than he let on and a little slow
when it came to romance.
Sloane had never believed there was a man she couldn’t win
over if she wanted him enough. She’d come back because she
couldn’t stand not getting what she wanted.
To her surprise, Julian stopped and faced her, his expression hard.
Sloane, how many times do I have to tell you to stay out of
my personal life?”
“We’re coworkers. That’s all.”
“We happened to go to the same university.”
Where I go is none of your business.”
In all the years she’d known him, this was only the second
time she’d heard him say so much at once,
The first had been before she moved abroad. Fed up with his
indifference, she’d gone to him, expecting the news of her
departure to finally get a reaction.
Instead, he’d actually smiled.
“Congratulations.”
“Julian, I’m leaving the country. We won’t see each other again!”
She could hardly believe she’d heard him right. She’d
expected him to panic, but his smile only widened.
Yes, I heard you. Congratulations.”
He wasn’t trying to spite her. He was genuinely happy.
Sloane had been driving him crazy.
He’d never agreed to date her, yet somehow the entire
campus thought they were together.
Whenever he tried to correct them, they treated his denial as proof.
Yeah, yeah, we get it. Sloane told us you’re shy about people knowing you’re together!”
*Besides, why would you show up every time she invites you if
you didn’t like her? You used to hate those parties.”
Whatever he said, no one believed him.
He only put up with those awful parties because Sloane always invited Nora.
But how was he supposed to explain that when he’d heard
Nora liked that rich jock?
Her taste in men baffled him.
He’d wrestled with his conscience for two full days, then
decided he’d pursue her, even if he had to steal another man’s girlfriend.
He’d even written a detailed, twenty–thousand–word plan for winning her over.
Now that Sloane was leaving the country too, he had two reasons to celebrate.
Sloane was so furious her stomach hurt.
She’d grown up getting whatever she wanted, with barely any
effort on her part. No man had ever humiliated her like this.
She demanded an answer through clenched teeth.
Julian, don’t tell me you haven’t felt anything for me all this time!”
“If you don’t want someone like me, then what do you want?”
His good mood made him more patient with her than usual.
“You’re impressive, and you’re… nice. But I want the best.”
There’s no one better than me!”
He thought of Nora, always so quiet and tense, and couldn’t help smiling.
“Of course there is.”
“Nora’s the best.”