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"Rainer?" Pippa says, her voice shocked and a little pained "What are you doing here?"

Rainer’s eyes ht I was tired and Mali was good enough to letho, even though he knows I could call him out on it My heart explodes with pain, unlike any I’ve ever felt He’s ashamed to admit he slept with me He’s asha with ree with him It hurts so badly, and I know he can see it I know he can

I turn and look back at Pippa, forcing a smile "Yeah Sorry we didn’t let you know"

She slad he didn’t drive hoht"

"I’m fine, sweetheart," Rainer says and nods at Tyke, who has been silent through it all "Tyke"

"Rainer Good to see you"

"Oh, how rude of me Mali, this is my boyfriend, Tyke"

Tyke smiles at me and I have to force mine to look real in return He extends a hand and I take it, shaking He’s a big h that his hand curls aroundit "Good to et to work, so maybe we can catch up another tihts up "I’d love that Maybe I can pop in for a coffee this afternoon?"

I nod, flashing her a real sreat"

I turn and walk past Rainer, refusing to look at hiives me a pained expression, one that tells me she knows exactly how that felt I force a smile but it wobbles and she reaches out, as if she wants to pull me into her aroodbye," Rainer says to Pippa "Then I’o for breakfast?" she asks hirunts "Take her out She’s tearing the walls down at home"

Rainer chuckles "I’ll do that Wait for et to ets to es to catch up just as I reach my bedrooony ripping through me

"I’m sorry I didn’t want to hurt her"

Hurt her? She is with another fuckingthe knob

"Fuck it, Mali, don’t be pissed at me"

I spin "Get the fuck out of my house"

"You said this was casual," he says, his voice low and alentle

"Casual, yes, but I never expected you toworthless Is it really so horrible to ad awful?"

"Jesus, no"

"Letever stop and think that I ht be hurt?" I screaht? You know, if you’re so worried about what she’ll think, you should consider keeping your dick in your pants"

"Mali"

"No," I say, pushing the door open "I’ve known a lot of people in my life, but not one of them has ever madehouse, Rainer"

Then I step in and slam the door, but not before I burst into a fit of pathetic tears

~~~~

Work is slow, and I know it’s becauseI should have expected it Rainer told me from the start he didn’t do connections, but stupid h to not make me feel like a cheap lay Miot dressed and rushed out of the house, broken-hearted and defeated