Page 103 of The Invitation

Fuck.

Him.

I smile, sweeping a hand out to Katherine. “Look who’s here,” I sing, delighted.

Deranged.

“Have fun, you two.” I leave, damning the pinch at the back of my eyes, pushing my way through the various double doors until I’m at the top of the stairs.Bastard.I’m a fucking idiot.

“Amelia,” Jude yells after me.

“Fuck off,” I hiss, wondering if I’ve ever cursed so much in my life.

“Amelia, for fuck’s sake.”

I take the stairs but make it only three down before I’m dragged back up. “I said fuck off!” I scream.

“Not on your fucking life,” he seethes, his face up in mine. “We’ve got things we need to discuss.”

I laugh. “What, like how much of a fuckhead you are?”

“If it makes you happy.” He grabs the top of my arm and starts guiding me back toward his apartment, but just when I’m about to fight back, Katherine appears, and the expression of shock on her face tells me I look as wild as I feel.

His fault.

This ... because of a man.

What has become of me?

Jude wrestles me past her, and the filthy look I give her should turn her to stone. “You’re welcome to him,” I seethe, getting a warning squeeze from Jude for my trouble.

“You say that like the choice is yours,” Katherine replies, deadpan. She truly means it.

“Enough, Katherine,” Jude warns calmly, marching me on.

“Tell that to your bit of stuff,” she retorts.

I cough over my indignation, breaking free of Jude’s hold.Slap her. Claw her eyes out. Fucking strangle her.“Bit of stuff?” I parrot, gunning for her, my mind and sense completely gone. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believeheisyourbit of stuff, since you’re the one who’s fucking married in this situation.”

She hums, pouting, her head tilting as if considering that notion. “Correct.” She smiles, and it’s smug. She’s enjoying this. My upset, my loss of control. “Mine,” she adds.

What the hell is this madness? What the hell have I got myself into?

Katherine sighs, feigning impatience. “Jude, if you’re going to sleep around, could you at least find someone with a bit of classandwho knows her place?”

“Oh my God,” I breathe.

“Katherine!” Jude barks. “Shut your damn mouth.”

Locking down every muscle so I don’t launch myself at her, I have a stern word with myself. I’m better than this.Keep it classy.Too late.

Leave.

Go.

I need to get out of here before I embarrass myself even more. I pick one foot up and yelp when I’m hauled upwards. “What the fucking hell? Jude!”

“Shut up,” he snaps, throwing me over his shoulder and marching back to his apartment. The door crashes closed, and he dumps me on my feet. “I’m not fucking done.”

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