Unapologetic Lavinia Stan:It’s kind of a long story.
Book!AeneasWouldNever:Youdon’t have to tell me. Ignore the question.
Unapologetic Lavinia Stan:No, it’s okay.
Unapologetic Lavinia Stan:Without going into too much detail, I met a friend for dinner, and she disappointed me.
Unapologetic Lavinia Stan:I thought she accepted me the way I am, but
Unapologetic Lavinia Stan:She wants to fix me. Improve me.
Book!AeneasWouldNever:WTF?
Unapologetic Lavinia Stan:She had to speak up, BAWN. Out of CONCERN.
Book!AeneasWouldNever:I’m certain you already know this, but: You don’t need to be fixed or improved. You’re perfect just the way you are.
Book!AeneasWouldNever:I’m so sorry. That must have hurt.
Book!AeneasWouldNever:I don’t have a ton of friends—maybe three? And they’re all coworkers. But they would never do that to me. You deserve better.
Unapologetic Lavinia Stan:Given how kind and funny you are, I’m shocked you don’t have an enormous circle of close, loyal friends. But quality over quantity, right?
Book!AeneasWouldNever:Honestly, I’m still surprised sometimes to have ANY friends. I didn’t growing up.
Unapologetic Lavinia Stan:Being a kid is so awkward.
Book!AeneasWouldNever:Yes.Anyway, I’m forever grateful for the friends I do have. Definitely including you, Ulsie.
Unapologetic Lavinia Stan:I feel the same.
Unapologetic Lavinia Stan:Thanks for listening, as always.
Book!AeneasWouldNever:Any time.
Unapologetic Lavinia Stan:I don’t let everyone in, and it hurts to do it and be disappointed.
Book!AeneasWouldNever:I’m an expert at disappointing others, sadly.
Unapologetic Lavinia Stan:Well, you’ve never disappointed me.
25
APRILWAS CRYING AGAIN. WITH HURT, YES, BUT ALSO RAGE.
So much goddamn rage.
Marcus was Book!AeneasWouldNever. At one time, that would have been her most fervent wish, to have the two most important men in her life somehow merge into one. To not have to choose between them. But now—but now—
All this time. All this time, he’d pretended they’d met as strangers at a restaurant. All this time, he’d fuckingliedto her.
“April, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.” When Marcus tentatively reached out to dry her tears again, she slapped his hand away.
“Why?” That single syllable was so choked with betrayal, she could barely understand herself. “Why didn’t you say something?”
He raked a hand through his hair. Gripped it in his fist so hard he must have ripped some out. “I wanted to, April. Fuck, I would have done anything to let you know.”
Jesus, what bullshit. Exactly how gullible did he think she was?
