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“But why? Why did he do this? We talked for so long, I thought…” Her voice cracks. “I thought he cared.”

“I don’t know.” I rub soothing circles on her back as she cries. She clings to me, her tears soaking through my shirt. “Some people are cruel. It speaks volumes about him, not you.”

“But that’s it, isn’t it?” She pulls back. “Maybe I… maybe I’m not worth loving, not really. Not for who I am.”

“Don’t say that. Don’t you ever say that. Any man would be lucky to have you.”

“You have to say that. You’re my best friend.”

I tighten my arms around her. “It’s the truth.” It is, and I wish she would finally see that, too.

Once her sobs fade to sniffles again, she lifts her head. “What’s that?”

“What?” I follow her gaze and see the note from Elijah on the ground. Shit. It must have slipped out when I was rushing over to her. Not now. I can’t tell her about Elijah. She has enough to deal with.

“It’s nothing. It’s trash.” Leaning down, I grab the note and hide it in my fist.

Mary arches a brow, her lips twisting into a sly curve. “It doesn’t look like nothing. Come on, spill.”

“I don’t…”

“I could use a distraction right now.”

“I met someone last night.” Heat creeps into my cheeks as I think of Elijah again. His hands roaming my body, the things he said.

“What? Spill. Now.”

I sigh. “His name is Elijah, and he’s good-looking and sweet and... we... clicked.”

“Elijah?” She pauses. “Well? How was he?”

“He was...” What? Incredible? Mind-blowing? “Good.”

Understatement of the century. I can still feel the ghost of his touch, the echo of his groans in my ear. And the delicious ache between my thighs.

“Good?” Mary’s eyebrows rise in disbelief, still sniffling.

I giggle. “Okay, it was amazing. The best night of my life.”

“I knew you had a secret boyfriend. When do I get to meet him?”

“He’s not my boyfriend.” I bite down on my lip. “It was a one-time thing. I shouldn’t get my hopes up.”

“Don’t be silly. So, when are you seeing him again?”

At last, I hand her the note in silence. Mary reads it with a gasp, her eyes widening.

“He wants to see you? Tonight?” Mary claps her hands.

“I shouldn’t go.”

“You should definitely go.”

“I’m not sure.” Perhaps it’s best to keep it a one-night stand.

“The old Gem wouldn’t have hesitated.”

She’s right. But… “Don’t you think it’s too soon? After Oliver...”

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