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“You weren’t supposed to be back for another week.”

Another wave of tears tumbled through Alex’s eyelashes. “I…walked…out.” She trembled and gasped between words, dragging the cuff of Mark’s sweatshirt under her nose.

“I can see that.” Lucy stretched towards the tiny coffee table and grabbed a handful of tissues, placing them in Alex’s lap.

“It was the worst…”

“No ring?” asked Lucy

Alex shook her head.

“Aw, Lex. We talked about this. You can’t—”

“He slept with his ex.” Alex ran her fingers over her necklace. The skin underneath felt cold and clammy, and yet vulnerable, like a layer had been pulled back, exposing her nerves. Even the slightest scratch would tear her open.

The whistle from the kettle jumped into a high-pitched squeal.

“What?”

“Fallon…”

“Who?” Lucy squinted.

“Fallon Delaney.” Alex abandoned her phone in her lap and clasped a tissue. “From the film, his love interest…”

“Wait, the new actress? They just hired her.”

“Turns out, she’s not new…not to Mark.” She blew her nose hard, her ears popping. They hurt. Her nose hurt. Bright red blood speckled the tissue. She balled it up, hiding it from Lucy. Any pain that distracted from the crushing ache in her heart was welcome.

“You’re fucking joking.” Lucy seethed.

“I thought she was nice. I thought I made a new friend.” Alex’s lips quivered. “Happy anniversary to me.”

“But when—?”

“After I left the party last night. I don’t know if it was a one-off or…”

“Fuck.” Lucy wrapped her arm around Alex’s shoulder.

Harry returned and solemnly set down two steaming mugs on the table. Lucy mouthed, “Thank you.”

He picked at the robe’s belt and shifted from foot to foot, unable to stay still. He cleared his throat. “Lex, if there’s anything you need…”

She shook her head, releasing him from any obligation. Lucy looked up at him with a tight smile.

“Is it okay if I maybe have a shower?” he asked.

“‘Course, just don’t use up all my body wash again.”

Harry nodded, reached over and softy touched Alex’s shoulder, and left the room.

Alex’s tearful eyes widened. “Again?”

Lucy shook her head. “Never mind that. How did you find out?”

Alex told Lucy about her sloppy party exit, the morning’s conversation with Fallon, the intimate Instagram photos, and confronting Mark. She used the entire box of tissues in the process.

“The wanker! I could fucking kill him. He gives a whole new skanky meaning to taking a trip down memory lane.” Lucy gritted her teeth and picked up her phone. “I need to see this minger. Can I look at her Instagram?”