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Unconditional Melody Grace 15230K 2023-09-02

"What do you want?" I deht alone with a bottle of whiskey, trying to drink Carina off over and an e not to bite the head off of anyone who looks at me funny

"Easy, cowboy" Brit frowns "What’s up with you?"

I force , I’ you a hard time?" Brit’s mouth twists in a scowl She flickers her eyes upwards to where Carina is clattering around, redecorating that mess of an apartment

I tense "Don’t call her that"

"What? C’mon," Brit says with a conspiratorial smile, "I can’t believe you let her stay She’s the last person I figured would show up here Are they building a neing on her ?"

The scorn in her voice is clear, and it sends ive her a break?"

Brit blinks, looking surprised "Why are you defending her?"

"I’ to keep , you don’t know her, that’s all"

"I know Juliet," Brit protests, "and that’s plenty You know they barely speak? Carina al"

"It’s none of our business," I growl at her My hands are tied, I can’t tell Brit what’s going on with Carina without breaking her confidence, but I can’t stand to hear Brit talk like this "We don’t knohat their history is like, so how about you stop being so dairl a chance?"

Brit’s eyes narrow, but she doesn’t flinch Sheup her lips "Subject dropped Whatever you say, boss"

"Thanks" I take a breath, trying not to think of Carina "How’s it going with you, anyway?" I change the subject "Did you get those designs finished?"

"Barely" Brit gives me a look, but doesn’t press it "I sent theo present in person next week"

"You’ll be great," I tell her "You’ll blow the noise overhead We both look up

"Is she redecorating or doing demo?" Brit murmurs

There’s another crash and what sounds like a yelp I bolt for the hallway

"Carina?" I call, taking the stairs two at a tih the door and look around The radio is playing loud, so,

and there’s n of her I move towards the kitchen door, still panicked What I see therethe walls, wearing a tiny pair of cut-off shorts that look downright illegal, an old T-shirt knotted up above her flat, tanned stoot splatters of paint on her skin, her hair twisted in a