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Langley sighs, shaking his head like I'm disappointing him. "Look, I get it. You're keeping things civil. But she hasn't changed, and you know it." He shrugs, too nonchalant to be genuine. "I'm just giving you an opportunity to get ahead of her before she screws you over again."

I glance toward the main room, toward the sea of expensive dresses and sharp suits. Somewhere in there, Vanessa is circling Ava like a shark, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Langley doesn't miss it. "See?" he murmurs. "She still gets under your skin."

My response is a long, slow exhale. "You done?"

He watches me for a second before chuckling. "For now." Then he claps me on the shoulder like we're old friends. "Think about it."

I don't respond. I just turn on my heel, already done with this conversation, and make my way back toward the main hall.

And the second I step through the crowd, my instincts spike—because Vanessa is no longer across the room where I left her.

And neither is Ava.

Dread tightens in my chest.

Shit.

Even though I pick up pace, Vanessa is quicker. One second, Ava's idly scanning the artwork and the next, Vanessa is right there, sleek and smiling and entirely too close. I could intervene immediately, but Ava would detest that, would believe I'm trying to protect Vanessa from her. The absurdity of it isn't lost on me.

Perhaps the answer is in letting her see for herself. She's close enough that I can listen.

"You don't belong here." Vanessa's voice carries, voice smooth and quiet.

Ava, as always, has the perfect response. "Neither do you. But we all make do."

Vanessa tsks, her patience clearly thinning. "Listen to me, little girl?—"

"Oh, good. Pet names. This should be fun."

Vanessa ignores the comment. "You're a distraction," she murmurs. "A temporary one."

Ava crosses her arms, utterly unimpressed. "That so?"

Vanessa narrows her eyes at Ava. "You don't know Liam like I do."

Something in Ava's expression shifts—subtle, but I see it. I feel it.

Vanessa does too. She leans in just a little closer. "Stay out of my way."

Ava lets out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "You know, for someone who claims I don't matter, you're awfully invested." She takes a slow sip of her champagne. "Here's the thing," she says, speaking calmly. For someone who doesn't know her, it'd be easy to think she's unfazed. "I don't scare easily."

Vanessa studies her for a beat, then frowns. But I know her well enough to see the frustration lurking beneath the façade.

That's my cue.

I step forward, smoothly inserting myself between them. "Am I interrupting something?"

Vanessa's smile returns instantly, her mask slipping back into place. "Not at all," she says, tilting her head. "Just getting to know your… date."

Ava rolls her eyes.

I glance between them before fixing Vanessa with a bored look. "Then I'm sure you two have had plenty of fun. We'll be on our way."

Vanessa hums indulgently. "Before you go…" She takes a slow sip of champagne, then tilts her head, her gaze flicking between Ava and me. "Does she know what you're hiding yet?"

Silence.