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"I have nothing to say to him."

"I told him that."

"Good."

I add, "He claims he has no idea what he did wrong."

She lets out one sharp laugh. "That's so typical of Mason." Her fingers tighten around her glass.

I put my hand on hers. "You okay?"

Her face hardens. "I was stupid. I really thought he liked me and would eventually stop playing games."

"Well he really wanted to talk to you."

She crosses her arms and sits back in the booth."

"Does," I correct.

"Doesn't matter."

Our next round arrives.

"Maybe it does matter? I mean, if you like him so much⁠—"

"It doesn't. Mason Cartwright likes everybody. That's his problem."

"So did Jagger. But he seems to only want me now," I point out.

Her face turns worried. She warns, "Be careful, Lainey. I hope it works out for you two, but be careful. I've never seen Jagger or Mason commit to anyone."

My stomach twists.

"I'm not saying don't give it a chance if that's what you want, but just be careful," she stresses.

The knot tightens. I quietly agree, "Okay. I will."

More silence hits.

My optimism hits again. "Maybe he sees Jagger committed to me and realizes what he's missing out on."

She scoffs. "No. He just wants to fuck me because he can't have me anymore."

"Carla—"

"I'm serious. I'm not doing this again. I'm not letting that man charm his way back into my life because he suddenly decided he doesn't like being ignored."

I nod. "Okay."

She points at me. "And you're not giving him my number."

"I already told him no."

"Good."

A shadow falls across the edge of our booth. "Well, this is cozy."

Every muscle in Carla's body locks, as does mine. We slowly turn.