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“Oh my gosh.” Iris fans herself dramatically. “This is the best thing I’ve heard all year. Tell us everything. And I mean everything.”

So I do. I tell them about seeing Reign at the fight, about the tension between him and Gio, about Reign following me to that bathroom and what happened there. I tell them about meeting him at the diner this morning, about the dog tags now hanging around my neck.

“Show us,” Violet demands when I mention them.

I pull the chain out from beneath my dress, letting the metal tags catch the light. My friends both sigh appreciatively.

“That’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen,” Iris says. “He’s marking his territory.”

“It’s not like that,” I protest, but even I can hear how unconvincing I sound.

“Honey,” Violet says gently, “it’s exactly like that. And honestly? Good for you. You deserve someone who wants to claim you.”

“There’s more,” I say. “He invited me to spend the weekend at his cabin when I get back from Denver.”

The reaction is immediate and unanimous.

“You’re going,” Iris states.

“Absolutely,” Violet agrees. “No question.”

“But how?” I ask. “I can’t just disappear for a weekend. Lucille watches my every move.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Violet interrupts. “There has to be something you can use as cover.”

I rack my brain, thinking of any legitimate reason I might have to be away from home for two days. Then it hits me.

“Wait,” I say, reaching for my laptop. “I think I saw something on Facebook...”

I scroll through my feed until I find what I’m looking for. A post from my high school majorette team about a reunion weekend at Fit Mountain Resort.

“Perfect,” I breathe. “My old majorette team is having a reunion next weekend at Fit Mountain Resort. It’s the same weekend Reign wants me to come to his cabin.”

“That’s genius,” Iris says. “How long since you’ve seen those girls?”

“Years,” I admit. “But I can register late. I’m sure they won’t mind.”

“Do it,” Violet urges. “Register right now, then you have legitimate cover for the weekend.”

My fingers hover over the keyboard. This feels like such a huge step, actively lying to Lucille and Gio to spend time with Reign. But when I think about his hands on my body, his voice promising to solve my problems, the choice feels obvious.

I click the registration link and fill out the form, my heart pounding with each keystroke. When I hit submit, a weight lifts off my shoulders.

“Done,” I announce.

My friends cheer, and I can’t help but smile. For the first time in months, I have something to look forward to that’s entirely my choice.

“I’m so proud of you,” Violet says, her expression serious now. “You’re finally fighting for what you want.”

“It’s terrifying,” I admit.

“The best things usually are,” Iris replies. “But Audrey, you deserve to be happy. You deserve to be with someone who sees you for who you really are.”

Tears prick at my eyes. “I should go. I still need to get a few things done before I leave tomorrow.”

“Text us from Denver,” Violet says. “And remember, you’re doing this for you. Not for Lucille, not for Gio, not for anyone else.”

“I will,” I promise. “Love you both.”