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“Rich guys can be bums too,” I offer.

Her hands still for a second before she says, “Point well made.”

I splay my hands out, signaling, “Exactly.”

“But at least if you bang a rich fuckboy, Shae, you might also get a Birkin out of it or something,” Ezra throws out. A quick glance at the couple on the sofa shows Tanner nodding along with Ez. They’re cuddled beneath a blanket, set to stay in for the evening although Yennifer plans to drag me around town.

Must be nice.

“You guys are shameless,” I say. “Money isn’t everything. I want a good person. Also, I want you to know I’mnothaving a one-night stand.”

Yenn doesn’t miss a beat. “Okay, so a two- or three-night stand, then?”

Ezra laughs from his seat.

“No, Yenn. I’m not sleeping with anyone tonight.”

Yenn releases a very put-upon sigh.

“Fine,” she groans. “But if you find someone who gets your kitty purring, youmustand I meanyou mustnot let them get away. Deal?”

She parts the hair near my temple, and I’m very still as she glides the plates over the strands.

“Deal,” I say. “I do want to have fun, Yenn. I… I deserve to have fun.”

Yenn’s hands still again, but this time she’s quiet for so long I tip my head back to see her face. The smile she gives me warms a place in my chest.

“Yes, bestie. Youdodeserve it.” Her voice is soft for once.

“Plus, you’ve been really busy at work these last few weeks. Which, it seems criminal to even call it ‘work’ because you’re not getting paid,” Yennifer says.

“It is work!” I protest. “It’svolunteerwork.”

“Mmhmm,” Yenn grumbles. “Let me just remind you of two things: First, you carry mPOWER, and you do as much work as your boss, only without you being the one out fundraising. I’ll give her that, the girl can hustle.”

I make an affirming sound. Yennifer would know about DeAndria’s fundraising prowess. My boss managed to get Yenn’s father to donate $100,000 to mPOWER at the last charity auction. I invited Yenn and her dad, but definitely didn’t expect Daddy Solomon to showorfor him to drop a hundred stacks ten minutes after entering just because DeAndria smiled at him.

“And second—” Yenn picks up some edge control and spreads it at my temple. “Slavery ended in 1865. They can’t work you to the bone and tell you to like it.”

Something like heartburn has me taking deep breaths. Yennifer has a point. I should give fewer hours to mPOWER. When I’m not in class, I’m often at the building helping someone, and even when I’m not in a strategy session, I find myself studying there often.

I tell myself being there is better, since no one will burst in the room waving a joint or demanding I watch re-runs ofThe Game. But the truth is, I like being at mPOWER.

It feels like home in a way that’s new because it’sjustmine.

“She’s right,” Ezra pipes up. “Plus, there are laws about this type of shit now, Shae. You gotta stick up for yourself. Don’t let them take advantage of you.”

I’d nod if Yennifer didn’t have a 450-degree tool at my scalp.

They’re both right…but they’re also so wrong, and I don’t know how to make them understand what I feel.

Probably because evenIdon’t understand.

The computer dings again right as Yenn finishes straightening my hair. She then wraps my locks around my head, securing them with a silk scarf so the body can set while I dress.

“I’m gonna get ready!” she shouts, already bouncing off toward her room.

I stretch when I stand, loosening the tightness in my muscles from Yenn playing Glam Squad. Ezra and Tanner are in their own world, and I can’t help the pang that settles in my chest when I look at them. They’re in love. I’m not sure if they’ve said the words to each other yet, but it’s so clear when I look at them together.