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Raven actually agreed

"Thanks," Sydney said, searching her friend’s dark eyes for any type of understanding or compassion She found only distance "Raven, I really wanted to talk to you tonight With Morgan"

Raven nodded slowly "I think that’s a great idea"

She sed "After poker?"

"Sure Let’s play a few rounds, and I’ll cut the night a bit early"

"Thanks"

She slid into her seat, opened her purse, and bought her chips They were just about to begin the first round when the door opened and a wo boots waltzed in Her soft brown hair ept up in a fashionable ponytail Her ht red lips

Sydney almost closed her eyes in horror

Not her Anyone but her She just didn’t have the energy tonight

But when she peeked back, the wo with Raven, who nodded and motioned her to take a seat at the table

Cynthia

The one she’d battled with after the ballet and Tristan’s new eneht away, the wolint of evil glee in her eyes or was she being paranoid? Oh, God, why had she lost it and brought Christian Grey into their fight?

"Sydney Greene-Sey over to take the seat next to her Had she e you here"

"Hi, Cynthia I didn’t know you played poker"

"Oh, it’s been on my bucket list for years, so when I heard about this little weekly gathering, I thought it would be fun to try it out" She handed Raven a large bill and took her chips Raven introduced her to the woan to deal the cards Sydney decided the entire evening was cursed She’d concentrate on playing poker and try not to draw any extra attention Small circles of conversation rose up around her Cynthia sipped her wine, and they played the first few rounds She began to relax Maybe Cynthia really did just want to play cards and make some friends Maybe Sydney had overreacted How many times had she warned Becca not to look for trouble until it bit you on the ass?

Well, not in those sa another round Sydney glanced at her cards

"Ruo," Cynthia said casually, her glossy red fingernails sorting through her cards "Tristan Pierce, huh? The man who took Becca to the ballet recital? The one you said was just a friend?"

Oh, yeah She’d been right all along Cynthia had just been biding her tiratulations"

"Thank you"