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Mason stands at the end of the booth wearing a dark jacket and cowboy hat, looking at Carla like the rest of the bar has disappeared.

Directly behind him is Jagger.

Oh, for the love of God.

Jagger's eyes meet mine. His expression goes from surprise to something harder.

"What are you doing here?" I blurt out.

His eyebrows lift. "Having a beer. What are you doing here?"

Carla mutters, "You have got to be fucking kidding me."

Mason slides his gaze to her. "Nice to see you too."

"It's not nice to see you."

"Carla."

"No. The answer is no now and forever," she asserts.

He blinks. "I haven't even said anything."

"And yet I'm already annoyed."

Jagger steps around him. "Can I talk to you?"

I stare at him. "Right now?"

"Preferably."

I accuse, "Why did you follow me?"

"I didn't follow you. But nice of you to lie to me about where you were going," he shoots back.

"She didn't lie. The hotel bar was closed. This is the only bar in town open, as you are well aware of," Carla fires at him.

Jagger turns toward her with anger and hurt in his expression. "Nice to know you aren't dead, Carla. Thanks so much for letting me know you were leaving town. Glad to know our friendship meant so much."

She pauses for a moment, softening, but then replies, "Lainey explained what we thought when we left town."

He narrows his eyes. "Yeah. Thanks for not bothering to question what Troy told you. Great to know how low you think I'd go."

She mutters, "Sorry."

He puts his hand to his ear. "What? I didn't hear your reaction to blowing up my entire life!"

"Don't be so dramatic!"

"I missed the birth of my daughter!" he booms.

Mason pushes him back. "Don't talk to her like that."

"Get over yourself, Mason," Carla snaps.

Jagger looks over Mason's shoulder. "Lainey, we need to talk."

I cross my arms. "Why are you here?"