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“Clara.”

“No. You don’t get to leave me and then come back to tell me who I’m allowed to date.”

His jaw tightens. “I’m just saying you don’t know him.”

A voice comes from behind me. “She knows enough.”

Ryder.

His hand settles at my waist.

Evan looks at him. “This doesn’t concern you.”

Ryder’s smile is easy. His eyes aren’t.

“She’s my girlfriend. Pretty sure it concerns me.”

“Your girlfriend.”

“Keep up.”

Evan looks at me. “You’re really doing this?”

“Yes.”

“With him?”

Something in Ryder goes still.

I feel it.

I turn toward Evan. “If Ryder is a mistake, he’s my mistake to make.”

Ryder’s hand tightens slightly at my waist.

Evan shakes his head. “I don’t understand you anymore.”

For once, that doesn’t hurt. “Maybe you never did.”

He leaves and I finally exhale.

Ryder’s hand disappears.

I look at him. He’s staring after Evan.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Rule five.”

His jaw shifts. “Everyone in this room thinks you’re too good for me.”

I blink. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?”

“Yes.”