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“An invitation. As in something that you need in order to show up to an event or, I don’t know, a vacation?”
I can’t resist a small smirk. “You’re mad I’m here.”
“I’m madanyoneis here. I didn’t expect you.”
“It doesn’t have anything to do with that necklace, does it?”
Laney gawks at me like I’m an idiot. “Necklace?”
I press a finger to my throat. “Necklace.”
“I’m not wearing a…” Laney turns bright red. Redder than I’ve ever known her to turn.
She slides her hand around her neck like a cuff. “Oh.”
“Yeah.”
Her embarrassment tells me everything.
I had every reason to be worried. But now that I’m here, what good does it do other than rubbing their whatever the fuck they’re doing in my face? Will being here stop it? Or will they just start sneaking around?
“It’s just…temporary.” Her eyes fall to her feet. “Not the marks, but…us.”
I furrow my brow. “What’s that mean?”
The corners of her eyes tighten. “God, Mason, what do you want me to say?”
“I don’t know.”
“I don’t owe you any explanations.”
My stomach roils.
No. From the standpoint that our life journeys have diverged, she doesn’t owe me an explanation for what she does on her own time with whomever she wants. For what happened in the past, though? I still think I deserve an explanation. Although, I’m pretty positive I’ll never get it.
“Are you upset?” Laney asks.
My eyebrows jump. I wasn’t expecting that.
Why would she care if I’m upset? She’s getting what she wants, right?
“Are you happy?”
Her mouth parts. I almost wish I hadn’t asked.
“I mean, he’s good to you?”
Her lips move into a sentimental smile. “Yeah, he is.”
I expect that to hurt more than it does. Instead, I almost feel better that I know.
Yes, it’s happening. And that’s confusing. My ex and my best friend share a bed together. It’s odd.
However, if Nate is valuing the Laney I know she should be, the way she deserves, the way she’s decidedIcan’t,, that’s fine. That’s good.
I shove my bag back onto the truck bed. “This was a mistake.”
“I’m sorry, Mason.”
