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She swallows, her face throbbing with heat as she switches back to her group text.

Galina

I’m so sorry, ladies! I forgot, I promised my parents we could have a FaceTime date.

Wren

BOOO!! Everybody boo this woman! BOOO!!

Lucia

Galina!

Arianna

Dude, are you for real? They roped ME into this fucking thing.

I won’t lie. The smug, shit-eating grin that spreads over my face is…biblical. It’s not that IwantGalina to ditch her friends, of course. But the fact that sheis? In favor of hanging out with yours truly?

And here I was thinking my self-confidence couldn’t get any higher.

Yelena

You guys, be nice!

Yelena

Galina, it’s FINE, I promise!

Galina

I’m so sorry!!!

Yelena

It’s not a problem!

Wren

It’s a huge problem.

Wren

I am OFFENDED, Galina. O F F E N D E D.

Yelena

lol, Gal, don't sweat it. Go spend time with your parents. I’m honestly okay. I got the rest of these girls!

Galina

Have the best time!

Arianna

Boooo. But okay. Say hi to Roman and Val for me.

Lucia