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Her mother scoffed and waved off what Mary said “You knohat, since Mary’s date is clearly not showing up, you and she should go to the wedding together, Lance”

“No,” Mary said right away “Alex is on his way, and even if he wasn’t, I’d rather go alone than with Lance” Her asped and the room became tense and silent She would not back down on this And when she looked at Lance, Mary felt her irritation and anger grow “Maybe Lance can find another date Maybe Brittany?” Lance’s cool expression cracked and his jaw clenched, giving Mary sweet satisfaction

Margo was giving Mary the stink eye, and herexpression that also made her pleased in a sick sort of way “You knohat,” she finally said and stood “I think I lost my appetite”

“What?” Her oing to leave before dinner? It’ll be served in twenty minutes”

Mary shook her head and looked at Lance, then at her mother “God, ot into it right here in the living room And maybe she should have Maybe she should air all her dirty damn laundry But she was better than that

“I’o to the hotel”

“Hotel?” Her mom’s voice squeaked with shock

Mary nodded “Yeah, I thought ithere, and besides, it ht be uncomfortable for Alex to stay in a place he isn’t familiar with—”

“Alex?” Margo interjected “You mean the date that isn’t here?”

Mary was so exhausted mentally and physically “Yeah” was all she said

“Mary, you’re acting uncharacteristically rude” Her father, nors, spoke up

When she heard Margo scoff, no doubt about to gear up to run her ry look that had her sister’s eyes widening a fraction Yeah, noherself be looked down upon Nowith people’s shit