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“Oh, please,” I argued as I dressed Olive “They liked you fine The only reason they would’ve been pissed was because you left me, and since there’s no love lost there—they didn’t care”

I paused as Mark’s hand wrapped around the bottoently toward him

“You’re wrong about that,” he said, his thu over my skin

“I guess we’ll see,” I replied with a shrug

Lifting Olive, I got toit “I’m ready”

“Seriously, wo his head “Damn”

“Seriously, Forrest,” Mark said “Shut the fuck up” He was grinning

My confidence boosted by Forrest’s words and the look in Mark’s eyes, I scooted past the man in the doorway and led them toward the main room of the clubhouse

Makeup had never made me feel pretty—or at least not any prettier than I ithout it It was justdressing, like wearing a dress instead of sweats Instead, each step of thePrepared It was armor, and it was fully intact as I stepped into the roo their plates with food from the row of platters on the bar top

“Steady,” Mark murmured in my ear as he threw his arives you shit, just re at your ass in those pants Mmm”

I laughed and elbowed him in the side as he led me across the room

“CeeCee!” a young voice squealed

Turning toward the sound, I grinned as h the tables toward me

“Hey,” I said as she threw her arms around me, careful of Olive as she laid her head on my shoulder “I missed you, kid”

“I didn’t know you were co back “You had a baby?”

“I did,” I said with a chuckle

“What the fuck?” she asked, her face screwed up in confusion “Did Mom and Dad know?”

“She’s definitely your sister,” Mark said, trying to hide his laugh with a cough

“No, they didn’t,” I replied to Charlie “Surprise”

“Oh,“Is this the dad?”

I rolled ht, she ree

“No, he’s not”

“But he’s your boyfriend, right?” she asked out of the side of her ot his hands all over you He knows he’s not the dad, right?”

“I’m aware,” Mark said dryly “And if I hadn’t been, the cat would’ve been out of the bag now”

Charlie snorted

“You re to him “I know he’s been back to visit a few times”