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“Ethan,” Helen says, smiling over her shoulder at him. “This is Paloma, Bennett’s beautiful girlfriend. Paloma, this is my husband, Ethan.”

Her husband. Bennett’s stepfather.

My stomach sours; tears fight to spill free. I clear my throat and blink rapidly to push them back.

“Pleasure, Paloma,” he says, setting the bowl across the table.

“Isn’t she a doll?” Helen says, grinning brightly at me. It’s a compliment, and maybe I should say thank you, but I can’t hear anything besides my own heartbeat thundering in my ears. It feels a little like I’m dying.

“That she is,” he agrees easily, reaching his hand out to shake mine. “Nice to meet you.”

I don’t want to touch him—but they’re both staring at me and Bennett is still gone.

I reach a shaky hand toward him and he grasps it in both of his, almost massaging the skin with his thumbs in the overly tight hold. The desire to wash my hands is so overwhelming, I stand and stumble back over my chair.

“I—um—” My voice is shaky at best as sweat pools on the back of my neck. “I need to use the restroom, please.”

“I can—”

“Sit, Helen,” he commands lightly, kissing her cheek. “I can show Paloma where it is. I need to change my shirt anyway—I smell like a grill.”

“All right,” Helen concedes, giving him another sparkling smile as he refills her glass so she doesn’t have to move.

Suddenly, I don’t want to go—not knowing he’s with me—but I don’t see how to get out of it. I stay guarded, a few steps behind as we trek through the long hallway, right to the sharp turn from where I can’t see back toward the kitchen and living room. My heart hammers against my ribs as he opens a door and stands, waiting for me.

“Right here, Paloma.” He speaks my name like an unwanted caress. I hesitate before swallowing hard against the thick lump in my throat and walking in, trying to grab for the door before he can—

He slides in, shoving me back and closing the door tightly behind him.

“Get out,” I try to snarl, but it comes out a weak, squeaky plea.

“Look at you,” he says, taking a step toward me with each word until my body is back against the wall of the half-bath. It’s a small space; bright light from an extravagant chandelier above makes everything harsher.

“S-stop—”

Ethan reaches toward my face and my limbs finally react. I grab his wrist, stopping the movement just before he can touch my hair.

“New hair color?” He yanks his wrist from my grip and reaches for my hair anyway—like he owns me, the touch all proprietary. “I love the change. Makes you look all grown up.”

I pull back, slamming my body into the opposite wall.

“You need to leave, now. I—” I swallow loudly, trying to imbue my voice with strength I don’t feel. “I’m going to—”

“Tell Bennett?”

My snarl is half-baked, like a hapless child facing off against a cruel adult. “What makes you so sure I haven’t already?”

“Because I know you, Polly.” He smirks, watching the taunting nickname hit me like a slap. “Did you tell him?”

“I will.” It’s a lie—I don’t think I could tell Bennett if I tried. Risk having him look at me with disgust? Knowing the girl he’s cared so gently for isn’t who he thought?

Ethan steps closer, hands raised like a peace offering. I press myself up against the far wall, a terrified, cornered animal.

“I’ll tell Bennett,” I say again, begging my voice not to wobble.

“And what would you say?” He smiles, head tilting to the side. “That you seduced me? Begged for me repeatedly? You want to tell Bennett that you used to fuck his stepdad and beg to sleep next to him, so you didn’t have to go back to that trailer?”

My stomach rolls so violently, I worry I’m going to throw up. Heat swelters against my neck and face, head shaking.