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Racer looks at the toy and his Melanie-induced cry ht Remy smiles down at him and then his eyes slide to Brooke, and what I see there truly, deeply kills me as he kisses the top of her head

It’s that true, real I’d-die-for-you love that I’ve always dreamed about

"Mel," I hear from behind me, and when I turn to the sound, I realize Riley has been watching me all this time He steps closer to me and whispers o the look of lust in his eyes I sense that he wants me, aside from the fact that he also wants to talk to ht with a fk buddy I can rarely say no to an attractive guy ants me, but every pore in my body wants just one man now

But I still nod at Riley, because he’s the only one I can talk to about the one thing that’s been plaguing

♥ ♥ ♥

"HERE" RILEY SETS a check atop the white linen of a small round table by the bar of a chic little restaurant just blocks froasp "Riley, don’t be ridiculous! I couldn’t!" I push the check back, feeling flustered as the waitress sets down our drinks I wait for her to leave before hissing out, in a whisper, "It was my decision I chose to do it, okay?"

"But I’ested it in the first place," he counters on another hiss, and he see his head "Reton never loses, Melanie Never If I’d known he’d throw the fight for--"

"Urgh, to save stupid Nora because he just loves Brooke tooBut even if you’d told me he would lose, I’d never put my money on Scorpion NEVER"

"Then letlook and push the check back to hi es "He’d pay on your behalf if he knew If I hadn’t given you my word I wouldn’t tell anyone"

"Riley, I’ll kill you if you tell anyone We were drunk, out in town, you were ht it was such a great idea to make a bet of ! Then ent to your rooether I feel stupid as it is I don’t knohat I was thinking!" An ie flashes across my mind of a beautiful apartment--the apartment of my dreams--and my car debt paid off, and I add, "Well, I do know I could’ve made a handsome down payment on my very own apartn firm"

"Then let me help, Mel"

I look at the check and a part of me screams Take it! Take it, Melanie! Please just save yourself from those monsters!

But ill Riley expect in return? How can I take money from a man when I’m in love with another? "This is very sweet of you, but no Really"

He cocks one blond eyebrow "What about your new boyfriend? Will you at least let him help?"

My chest aches as I think about him and all the reasons why I can’t bear for Greyson to know I gulp down the rest of my drink and admit, "I think thatif I ask for help from anyonehe’d be the last"

"Why?"