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Jesus. It was just last week I brought her home. She’s the gymnast. And hell if I can remember her name although she clearly remembers mine.

Cara’s gaze bounces back and forth between us. “You two know each other?”

The redhead…good Lord, why can’t I remember her name? I’m usually better about this. She glares at me and then sneers at Cara.

“Yeah, we know each other. I’m Anna, and you should know your boyfriend is a cheating jerk because he just fucked me last week.”

Chapter 13

Cara

My stomach rolls and I absolutely lose what little appetite I already have.

Anna’s declaration rocks me back so harshly, Braxton’s hand lands on my lower back to steady me.

“Excuse me?” I ask. I had to have misheard her.

Based on the anger suffusing Anna’s features, I absolutely haven’t.

“Cara,” Braxton says. My head snaps to his, and I don’t know if he can see my shock that’s quickly mingling with anger, but do I even have the right? We’re not together.

We’ve never been together.

Technically, tonight’s our first date, and of course he’s had women before me, and in the last couple of months.

Unfortunately, none of the logic quickly racing through my mind is settling the effect this news has on my nerves.

“Don’t.” I shake my head, stepping away from his touch. Already my face is feeling flush with heat and embarrassment.

I turn to Marco and mutter, “Excuse me.”

As I’m turning to walk away, I still hear Braxton say, “You have no idea what you’re talking about right now but throwing that down was bullshit, and makes me glad as soon as you disappeared into your Uber, I wiped that night from my memory.”

Oh crap. What a jerk! I can’t believe any of this, but why am I so surprised?

Why am I so hurt? So he slept with someone last weekend. He has every right to do so. We’renottogether, and of course he dates one woman at a time. Although perhaps it does explain why he never returned my text.

My hands are trembling so profoundly it’s virtually impossible to push down on the door handle. It takes me several tries before the handle doesn’t slip out of my hands and it’s just enough time for Braxton to reach me.

“Listen to me.” His body heat crowds my back and he pushes both of us into the room, letting the door close behind us.

I jump from the harsh sound of the lock clicking and refuse to face him.

I cannot believe this is happening with a client of the gallery.

Luca is going to murder me for causing such a scene. And Anna? She not only works for Marco, she works for an agency that represents and promotes the most up-and-coming artists on the West Coast.

She’s not only viciously astute in the art world, she has connections like I would if I would have gone into law with my father.

This has disaster for Luca’s gallery written all over it.

“Don’t.” I drop my head into my hands, trying to calm my breathing. When I get upset or stressed, my stomach knots, which is the last thing I need. “Don’t say anything. You don’t owe me an explanation.”

He fucked me just last week.

Her shrill voice is a Ping-Pong ball inside my brain.

“Cara.” Braxton’s hand lands on my shoulder. His touch is gentle but warm, radiating heat beneath the thin layer of my cap-sleeved dress.