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"I know," I say with an answering al with you I was terow a spine and come up with her own opinion"

"She did it to piss you off" I shrug when she gapes atit--you know it’s true"

Violet laughs, the sound soft and sweet in the otherwise quiet of the large room "People rarely pay attention to the sisterly dynaure et at each other"

"Oh, I could tell" Mostly because I prideskills That, and Pilar and I have engaged in similar behavior while at work in the past She’s the only person I’ve ever felt close to … though I’ to feel that way about Violet

The realization stuns me

"Well, you’re very perceptive," Violet says, unaware that she’s just rocked my world

I clear my throat and focus on her "She knows about us, I presue to touch her ht fist so I won’t I can’t ain She’s like a wounded ani for her I can’t risk it "It feels like everyone knows about us," she says quietly "After your little fight with Zachary last night"

"I doubt everyone knows" I’et to ht, but still "Does that bother you? I know you wanted to keep it secret"

"I did I still do It looks … bad, that I’ve fallen out of Zachary’s arms and into yours"

That we’re compared to each other makes me want to kill him At the very least, beat the shit out of him "You haven’t necessarily fallen intobetween us "It’s no one’s business, e’re doing together"

"True"

"And it’s all speculation"

"With the exception of you describing to Zachary exactly what you did to ht I did Don’t regret it, either "So else will happen in the next day or two to divert their attention They’ll find someone new to talk about," I reassure her "Don’t worry about it"

"I’ to ry, what you said earlier That Zachary was usingto pretend I’m unaware of her moods She’s like an open book And a terrible liar

The complete opposite of me

"And for whatever reason, it … hurt when you said you were using me, too" She rolls her eyes and waves a hand, as if dis what she just said "I know it’s stupid We’ve said fro each other You offered yourself up to me You wanted to do this to uessing now that you’re … through with me"