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“Does anyone else know?” Scout asks.

“I’m pretty sure Guy knows, or has an idea at least. And my sister’s the one who encouraged me to go for it the first time we hooked up.” I take a sip of my champagne, the words flying out of my mouth now that the dam is broken. “But he didn’t know it was me at the time,” I explain. “He thought I was a prostitute.”

Ivy cackles, kicking her feet as she squeezes Scout’s hands. “Holy shit, girl. You have to start at the beginning! Please don’t deprive me of this juicy goodness.”

Scout takes a sip of her champagne and scoots closer. “Seriously. This is better than AO3.”

“That’s Fanfiction,” Ivy clarifies. “Scout’s teaching me new things every day.”

I know this is negligent—really stupid and could ruin everything I’ve worked for—but just for tonight, I want to pretend that I’m just a normal girl, with a normal group of girlfriends, doing what normal girls do.

I may as well give the girls what they want to hear.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Roman

I stand in the doorway and watch them giggling over something Ivy said, and my heart swells at the sight. I know it takes a while for Kira to warm up to people and let her guard down, but I should’ve known if anyone could weasel their way in, it’d be Ivy. She has this way of sneaking through your defenses and finding your soft spots. Like sunshine through a hole in blackout curtains.

I smile as I watch them. Kira wasn’t given a normal adolescence. She was thrust into the spotlight, every mistake broadcast, while keyboard warriors picked her apart for sport.

The world knows her as this mysterious, cool girl who never smiles for fear of getting a wrinkle. But nothing could be further from the truth.

The real Kira Blakely is goofy and one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. She’s got this dry sense of humor and wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s considerate, loves deeply, and is loyal to a fault.

It’s easy to see why she keeps herself so closed off because what’s the point in arguing when people are determined to think the worst of you?

I just wish she had more people in her life who could see her for the amazing woman she is because, as much as she pretends it isn’t killing her, I can see that it is.

They burst into laughter, and Ivy says, “Wait, I need to know… Was it more forceful than usual or did it just happen faster?”

“It was definitely a bit of both,” Kira says, holding her throat.

“I’m so jealous,” Ivy deadpans. “I’ve been begging Leo to let me peg him, but I think he thinks I’m joking. Maybe I need to take a page out of your…”

“Kira, you about ready?” I call out as Leo and Luka walk up beside me.

Three heads spin toward me, their eyes wide like they’ve been caught red-handed. Leo’s already shaking his head.

“Oh, hey, how long have you been here?” Ivy asks. “We were just talking about…”

“Her aunt Peggy,” Scout blurts.

With a straight face, Kira says, “She wants to surprise her…”

Without a word, Leo walks over to Ivy and tosses her over his shoulder. Luka snickers and helps Scout to her feet. She assures him she’s fine to walk the short distance home.

Kira stands up and makes her way to the stairs. She grips the railing like it’s the only thing keeping her vertical and begins her descent. I follow, already wondering how much they’ll remember in the morning.

I watch her struggle, waiting until Leo and Luka are out of sight before going to help her. “Easy, Bubbles. We don’t want you to twist an ankle,” I say, scooping her up in a cradle carry. “Looks like somebody enjoyed themselves tonight.”

“Hey,” she squeals, kicking her legs in protest. “I’m perfectly capable of walking on my own.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you are. But I’d like to get home before sunrise. Besides, I don’t need you slipping on the steps in those heels you insisted on wearing.” I hoist her higher and tap my thigh. “Come on, Tilly.”

Matilda jumps up like she’s relieved to have me here.

She looks up at me as if saying, Do you see what I’ve been dealing with?