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CHAPTER 1

I’ How could Sean say that? My fingers ball into fists, as I kick off each shoe and watch theht that I’h the roo the inside of me since dinner It wasn’t Peter or Sidney—it was Sean

I had my fork halfway toout with Peter for a few days When I first heard the news, I could only , he didn’t tell oddary that I stored drama queen—but I couldn’t sit there anymore I would have smashed my plate over his head

Sean watchedto stop me He didn’t chase after me or call out formy way There was no concern, no remorse Do whatever you want

I step into the bathroorab alland hair stuff into rabtumbles out of my arms and skitters across the floor I stand there for ato o home later and Mom will be there She can fix this

She would have been able to…

My throat tightens to the point that I can’t s My gaze blurs as hts take off in a million different directions like dandelion seeds in the wind I don’t hear Sean standing behind me until he speaks

“What are you doing?” His voice is deep, de

I don’t turn My body reid, with er is swirling inside of s can’t end this way

So inside me snaps and I round on him Before Sean can speak, I sla him as hard as I can Sean barely moves It’s like I’m no more substantial than a snowflake

“What a ?” Sean doesn’t answer, so I slaain, harder this time “Tell ’s wrong!”

When rabs hold of o He yanks me toward him soabout or why you behaved as you did downstairs”

I lean back, trying to pull away from him, but Sean won’t let me “You know exactly what you did down there! You kneould happen before you even said it—I could see it on your face—so don’t you dare lie to me now, and act like you have no idea why I’m mad And, I swear to God, if you blame it on PMS, I will cut you”

Sean represses a saze seems amused by the idea, as if I could possibly hurt hi hurts hihtful as it sounds to see you in a full blown rage, I hardly think your behavior is warranted”

“You handed ame with me Sean Don’t stand there and pretend that you didn’t You’re leavingabout it”

“I didn’t hand you off to anyone You made your own decision and I h with me, and walks out of the bathroom He crosses the floor and pulls a bottle of liquor out of the bar Everything about hi He pours his drink as I stare at him in disbelief

“What decision did Ione that included you leaving New York without me”

“This is childish, Avery We’re both adults here” Sean turns toward ainst the bar The tu about the way he stands says he doesn’t care “And I did not hand you off to Henry Thomas You chose him when you failed to choose me”

“That’s what this is about? Are you insane? I didn’t choose Henry”

“You didn’t choose lass to his lips and tips it back The contents disappear in one gulp Sean glances up atfor an answer My jaw is open and I hesitate The words are there, but I can’t say the expression spreads across Sean’s face “I thought so”

Fuck it I stoht what? You thought that I’d be happy to be your live-in call girl? You thought that I’d be flattered that you offered to buy me?”

“I offered you lass firmly, and folds his arms over his chest as his eyes narrow into slits, like he’s ready to fight Everything about him says that I should back off, that there is no way to win this argument, but I can’t shut up

Rage is coursing through le him “Did you? Because I didn’t hear that You said that you wouldn’t share, that I’d be yours You said you loved me and then you offered to buy me from Black What the fuck am I supposed to do with that—be flattered? Swoon, fall at your feet, and thank you for hiring me to be your own personal sex slave Wake up, Sean!”

Sean moves quickly Suddenly his face is a breath from mine “I offered to take care of you I offered for you to be with me and you said no”