Page 28 of Devious Love

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“Oh, cool.” I lick my lips. “I’ll just check into a hotel until you get back.”

“Easier said than done.” He groans. “Let me talk to Dom, and I’ll call you back.”

It takes him ten minutes to call me back—not that I’m counting.

“Okay,” he says, his tone lighter. “Don’t check into a hotel. Help is on the way.”

“Help?”

“Yeah, Dom called someone who has a spare key for the house. They’ll let you in.”

My chest tightens. “Called who?”

“It’s…” The line gets staticky for a second, and then he says, “Hey, Mia, our drinks just showed up. Gotta go. Just sit tight!”

With that, the line goes dead. Whatever.

While I wait for this mysterious “help,” I text Jeff, my ex-boyfriend turned best friend. He was my first boyfriend; while our relationship was cute and lovely, we realized pretty quickly we’re better off as friends.

Me:

Hi stud. I’m in Monterey. Safe and sound…but kinda homeless

Jeff:

Hi firecracker. What do you mean, kinda homeless?

Me:

I wanted to surprise my family, but they surprised me. No one is home

Jeff:

Damn. What are you gonna do? Check into a hotel?

Me:

Matt said I should wait. They called someone who has a spare key

Jeff:

Leave it to your overprotective brother to save the day

Me:

He’s more caring than overprotective

Jeff:

Same difference

Me:

How’s Tessa?

Jeff:

Panicking

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