Page 68 of Mastered By Lust

Danica doesn’t meet my eyes. “Gage is still waiting.”

“Right.” I clear my throat and stand up, feeling wobbly on my feet. “Danica, can we talk?”

She shakes her head. “I, uh, I need to check in with my parents. If they’ll even talk to me.”

“Dad will,” Dmitri says. “Mom’s probably still mad, though.”

Danica doesn’t respond to him.

“Just for two minutes?” I shove at Dmitri until he gets the hint.

He stands and steps past Danica. I think I hear him say, “Be nice,” but I’m not sure.

As soon as he’s out of the room, I say, “I’m sorry,” at the same time Danica says, “Why?”

We start talking at the same time again. Finally, I make a show of covering my mouth with my hand.

“I don’t understand why you couldn’ttalkto me.” Danica’s cheeks and neck are flushed, a sure sign she’s upset. But they’ve never looked like that because of me.

Feeling like absolute shit, I wait to make sure she’s ready for me to speak. “I was afraid you wouldn’t approve. I was afraid you’d be mad at me. I was being stupid, I guess. If I could go back, I’d do things differently.”

She sighs and presses the backs of her hands to her cheeks, trying to cool them. “I know I’m judgmental sometimes.”

I give her a look.

She laughs. “Okay, all the time. But I try not to judge you. If you want to be with Dmitri, well, great. Yeah, it could mess up our group dynamic, but we’d get over it, right?”

“Yeah. I’d like to hope we could.”

“I hope so, too, because I guess we’re already in it.” Her eyebrows go high on her forehead and she lowers her voice. “And speaking ofgroup dynamics, Leah. DmitriandGage?”

I wince.

She winces, too. “Sorry. That was judgy. I’ll stop. If you’re happy, I’ll be happy, too. But…I’m really hurt that you didn’t talk to me.”

“I get it.” I mess with the hem of my T-shirt—Dmitri’s T-shirt. “I’d be upset, too. I’m so sorry.”

“I know you are, and I appreciate that. But I need some time.” Her gray eyes are bright with moisture. She’s trying to keep herself from crying.

I’m an asshole. I should’ve trusted my best friend.

“Take all the time you need.” I fold my arms together, feeling cold and sad. “I’ll be ready whenever you want to talk.”

“Thanks.” She strides forward and gives me a gentle hug. “And as for last night? I’m so sorry for what Patrick did.”

I blink back tears. I hadn’t realized how much I needed this hug from her until she gave it to me. “Thanks. I don’t remember a lot, but I do remember you punching him in the face. How’s your hand?”

“It hurts, but it’s worth it. I’d do it again a thousand times.” She holds it out and shows me her bruised knuckles. Gone is the look of betrayal on her face—now it’s replaced by a mixture of fury and pride.

I love my best friend.

I hope she can forgive me.

* * *

Gage

Dmitri’s sister leaves the hallway. Her eyes are wet with tears, but she smiles and gives me a little wave before hurrying out of the house.

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