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“It’s stupid. I’m not hurt or anything... but my heart’s broken.”

“I’m getting up and making coffee. Tell me everything.”

And I do.

I spill the entire, sordid tale.

And by the time I’m finished, I feel like a terrible friend for avoiding her.

“I knew something was up. I was hoping you’d met a guy and didn’t want to tell me about him until you knew for sure he wasn’t an asshole.”

“He’s an asshole.”

“He is.”

“Why do I hear a ‘but’ in your voice?”

“He went to great lengths for you.”

I’m silent for a few beats.

Her words anger me... but also touch something else inside me.

I straighten my spine. “Doesn’t excuse what he did.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“You sound like you’re on his side.”

“I’m always on your side, babe. Always. But I hear the pain in your voice. You really care for him.”

“I have terrible taste in men.” I look at my long, fake fingernails I put on for the party tonight.

I should take off my costume and burn it.

“Don’t compare him to your shitty sperm donor father who bailed on you when you were a baby. Look at your grandfather. He was an incredible man.”

“Okay, so there’s one decent man in the world.” I roll my eyes. “Yay.”

She laughs. “Did you give him a chance to explain anything to you?”

“Hell no. What’s there to explain?”

“Why he did it.” Her voice is quiet, echoing my thoughts. “Why you?”

God, I hate that truth-bomb.

Even though Hades wears a murderous expression most of the time, he’s hot. Even hotter when he smiles.

But it was the way he was so invested in every word I said.

Everything I did.

And the same with the masked man.

I’ve never had a man so into me before.

“That’s probably why this hurts so bad,” I murmur.