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“So so around like a little dog?”

“Yes, it was a lie, but you wouldn’t let it go You said you were going to the sao down to design and find someone He was the one I kneould say yes”

“You wouldn’t have been sitting there alone I would have been there It would have been me”

My mouth drops open, and he raises a hand to silence me

“You think he’s your friend, but he wants more fro to explain a few things about you and me Just so he’s clear”

“Is that right? I think you should try explaining things to me first”

“The entrance is there”

I pull up in front of the Port Worth Grand Hotel It glows, opulent and gold, lawns groo valet signals to e to put the car in park and slide out onto shaky legs, grabbing at my purse

I go to the trunk, but another hotel guy dressed like a toy soldier is already taking our bags out Josh looks on with a bored, irritated expression

“Thank you” I tip them both “Thank you so much”

Josh goes to the reservations desk The receptionist visibly flinches when blasted by his blue laser-eyes I turn a full circle in the lobby Everything is in shades of red; strawberry, ruby, blood, wine A giant tapestry with a faded s down one wall A lion and a unicorn both kneel before a wos aboveThere is a spiral staircase aboveup about four floors in concentric circles It’s like being inside a heart

“It’s so, huh?” A man in a suit says to me from the bar nearby

“It’s gorgeous” I have irl I look for Josh, but I can’t see him

“It looks even better fro me over

“Nice try,” Josh says sharply, joining me He scoops an arhed apology—Sorry, pal!—behind us