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“Mallory,” I say sternly “Stop shutting me out”

“I’m not,” she retorts “It’s fine You don’t owe me an explanation”

“It’s not fine,” I tell her Nothing is fine Everything is fucking wron

g “That email hurt you”

“You’re right, it did hurtfro a step back, when she adds, “And that’s exactly why, as ether, I don’t ever want to see you again, Jackson”

“Mallory” I take that step forward again “Wai—” I say to a closed door

Chapter 8

Jackson

Twelve days ago, I left Los Angeles with Mallory Ten days ago, we’d returned froo, I ht with Aria And yet I still don’t feel any better the following Friday than I did when I saw the look of betrayal cross Mallory’s face last Thursday afternoon

She’s got her hooks into me

Even after Mallory saw the e I had sent Liaaverooh-rise kitty-corner to Liaeles Sitting around the large rectangular table, I tap the fingers on ainst the leather chair’s armrest

My regular Fridayat that da about Mallory inside What’s on her mind? Me? Not me?

I don’t kno to fix this with her

And I always kno to fix things

“This has to end, Jackson”