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“And you, Rex!” Blair spun around and looked right at me. She was just as beautiful as I remembered. Bombshell proportions, shiny hair, and those big blue eyes that had made me want to twist myself into knots to do her bidding when I was young and dumb and in love.

They blinked at me now, wide and clear and knowing. “How are you, handsome?” She leaned in and kissed my cheek. It was strange feeling her lips on my skin again. Strange as in…wrong.

Relief swept through me, cool and clear. It’s not that I’d thought I was still into Blair, but knowing it for sure now made me feel steadier. I didn’t want her lips on me, and I didn’t care if she was marrying my brother. I was mostly glad she wasn’t marrying me.

“Doing great,” I answered, and as I sidled up to Abigail and slung an arm around her shoulders, I realized it was true. Abigail tensed slightly, then softened against me and leaned her head against my shoulder. Her arm wrapped around my back, thumb hooking into my belt. We fit against each other. I smiled at my ex-girlfriend with my arm around my fake girlfriend. “How have you been?”

Blair rolled her head back as if she was soaking in this moment with pleasure. “Oh, my gosh. So fantastic. I’m getting married.” Blair flashed her engagement ring.

“That is one honker of a diamond,” Abigail commented, leaning forward.

“Oh, this old thing?” Blair tittered, wiggling her fingers. “It’s only fourteen carats. Donny said my fingers are long and thin, so I shouldn’t go any bigger. But you’ve got those strong, broad, working-woman fingers! I bet you could handle an even bigger one, if you could afford it.”

Abigail glanced at her hands, and I wondered if she was thinking about throttling the other woman. But she just widened that cool smile of hers and shrugged. “I’ve never wanted anything ostentatious.”

Blair’s eyes narrowed slightly, then she looked around the foyer. “That’s for sure. Rex, honey, my bags are in the car. Would you mind terribly…?”

EIGHT

ABIGAIL

I wonderedhow maximum-security prison compared to the New Elwood holding cell, and if it was worth going away for life without parole. Yes, I was considering murder.

What in the hell had I signed up for? Hosting Rex and Donny was one thing—but Blair? Let’s just say the girl had been here for five seconds and already I couldn’t stand her. Not that she was a peach to be around before.

She was my age, but we hadn’t really interacted much in school. She’d been the stereotypical popular girl, blonde and beautiful and knowing it. Seemed like being a social media darling had only amplified those aspects of her personality.

She tossed her freshly highlighted locks back and forth as she batted her eyelashes at Rex like they were still dating. And why did that bother me so much?

I had to remind myself of one thing: At least Gabe wouldn’t find out about my night in jail. This would be worth it, because I wanted my brother to finally lookat me like I was a functional adult. I could deal with this for a week. Maybe, when this was all over, I could go back to Sinclair and take the leap toward my own real estate agency.Thatwould show everyone that I could do something right once in a while.

What were the chances I could talk Donny into whisking her off for a romantic elopement tomorrow? Anything to get her out of here. And speaking of Donny…what the hell was up with him playing up for the camera? Sure, he was a pro footballer, but with all his injuries, he hadn’t spent much time on the field. Had all of that attention and D-list fame really gone to his head? Was he really that guy now?

Blair sent a coy smile at Rex and stroked her nails over his bare arm. “Be careful with the garment bag. It’s got my dress in it.”

“Sure,” Rex said easily, turning to the door and heading toward their car.

Blair shifted her gaze from his butt to my face. She smiled at me, and it didn’t reach her eyes. It was a look that said,See what I can do within seconds of walking into your home?

Who was she to march up in here,not-so-subtly insult my house, and then bat those false eyelashes atmyboyfriend? Ignoring the fact that he wasn’t actually my boyfriend for a moment…

Hellno.

Blair’s gaze drew to the floor and her face lit up. “Oh, I didn’t know you had a cat.” She hunched down, leading with her hand toward Winston. With his hair standing at the back of his neck and that look in his eyes, I knew he wasn’t a fan of hers either. I smiled.

She reached for him, and he let out a guttural groan, thenswatted his paw at her. She flinched backward with a yelp, narrowly saving her hand. Winston advanced, hissing.

I deadpanned. “Oh no, Winston, stop, don’t.”

Winston’s back arched and he hissed again.

Blair backed up and demanded, “What’s his problem?”

“Well, how would you feel having a stranger stay at your house?” I reflected that phony smile of hers right back.

She scoffed and turned her attention to the open door. Rex hauled a huge, bulging suitcase out of the trunk. The streetlights shone down on his muscular frame, and Blair let out a little noise that, to my ears in my seething state, sounded a little bit like mournful longing.

He stepped onto my front porch, one suitcase rolling behind him on either side. Blair just stared…atmyboyfriend, dammit. Sort of.