Chapter 30

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CARMEN

She couldn't believe it. How stupid could she be?

The white box on Hannah's desk was all the confirmation she needed. He had found a way in again. The ever-charming, powerful, and unable to stand not winning, Robert Mills. Of course he'd make his move the moment Carmen allowed herself to get close to someone. She should have known.

Carmen shoved everything into her bag. Whatever fight she had left in herself had gone.

Hannah would go to the gala with him. That's what the dress meant. Carmen didn't need to read the card. She knew the handwriting. Knew the routine. She knew how this always played out, with her being second best to a man who was far better at pretending he cared.

And maybe, Hannah was just like the rest. Maybe she never stood a chance anyway. She'd eventually return to New York. It was easier to detach herself now.

The elevator doors were closing when a voice called out asking to stop them.

"I'll be there in ten minutes. Thanks again Kath." Hannah's voice was frazzled and urgent. She stepped inside without noticing Carmen at first.

When she did notice, there was a flicker of surprise but she stayed focused on her call.

"I shouldn't have brought her in today. Her cheeks were pink last night and she didn't sleep much," Hannah said softly. "She didn't want to be alone, so we were up pretty late."

Carmen's chest tightened. The exhaustion on Hannah's face made sense now. She had assumed it had been a lie earlier.

When the call ended, Hannah shifted the strap of her bag and finally met Carmen's eyes. "Sorry. Didn't realize you were in here."

Carmen opened her mouth but nothing came out.

Then, Hannah's voice softened. "I'm sorry you think I'd treat you like that."

"What?" Carmen wasn't prepared for that, and the sincerity behind it.

The elevator dinged and she stepped out.

"I really have to go. Lyv's sick. But I'm not done with this." She gestured to the space between them. So call me. Or walk and talk. But don't shut me out."

Carmen looked down at her heels, uncertain she could keep up. Hannah caught on quickly.

Smiling gently, she reached out and squeezed Carmen's hand. "Call me tonight, okay?"

Carmen could only nod.

Hannah began walking backwards, "if you don't call me, then you better pick up."

And to her credit, Carmen texted ten minutes later.

Carmen: If you need anything for Lyv, let me know.

Carmen: I'm sorry for earlier. I overreacted.

The words sat on her screen longer than she expected before she hit send. That damn dress still burned in her memory. It was a typical gesture her father used.

Then Hannah texted.

Hannah: If you could somehow make an extra set of hands magically appear on my body, that would be amazing.

Carmen snorted. God, even now, her brain latched onto the wrong part of the sentence. Hands on Hannah's body. So typical of her train of thought.

If she texted Dani, she knew exactly what her friend would say. Stop being stupid. You like her. Help her. Show up. It would mean a lot.

Carmen rolled her eyes at how well she could predict Dani's words.

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