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Jesus Christ.

“Dani,” Carolina says.

“What? We're all wondering.”

“We were being subtle.”

“No, you were being subtle.”

Finley looks at me. “She's right. We were all wondering.”

Five women stare at me.

I could lie. The problem is, I'm terrible at lying. Not because I can't do it. Because I don't like it.

And if I want these women to trust me enough to talk honestly about their lives, beginning our relationship with bullshit seems counterproductive.

“Yes.”

The room goes completely silent. Then Dani slaps both hands on the table.

“I fucking knew it.”

“Oh my God,” Chiara says.

Finley is grinning. Annabeth looks delighted. Carolina closes her eyes briefly.

“Ladies.”

“What?” Dani asks. “You asked why she's here. I'm getting to the important stuff.”

“I am not here to discuss my sex life,” I reply easily.

“That's disappointing,” Finley says.

I laugh despite myself.

Then Carolina asks, “Does sleeping with Mitchell affect the story?”

That sobers me immediately.

“No.”

Her eyebrows rise. Actually, all their eyebrows rise.

Every single one.

Simultaneously.

It's impressive. I sigh.

“Okay. I hear how that sounds.”

“Do you?” Carolina asks.

“Yes.”

“Because you're sleeping with the subject of your investigation.”