Page 3 of Never Sleep with the Enemy

“Katrina,stop.”His hands are firm, holding me at bay, his elbows locked. His gaze isn’t angry. It isn’t ashamed. Just… sympathetic. Pitying.

I hate it.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

My throat tightens against the tears, but I push forward. “Was it ever me?”

His head tilts the smallest fraction.

“Was it ever me, Jo?” I ask again, the words thick on my tongue. I shouldn’t have to explain. I know he understands.

Was our kiss really just a kiss?

Were we really just friends this whole time?

“You shouldn’t be here, Kat,” he says.

“Just tell me.”

“No.” His fingers dig in a little deeper. “I’m sorry. You’re my friend. You’re Knox’s sister.” He shakes his head. “No. It was never going to be you.”

My world tilts.

“Oh,” I say.

His hands fall away, and somehow, I stay standing.

“Look,” he says gently. “How about we head downstairs and get some coffee? Sober you up a bit, and we’ll talk?—”

“No.” My stare drops to the floor. “I’m fine.”

“Kat—”

I spin away, my head light, my chest lead-heavy. My heart is pounding too hard, too loud, drowning him out.

The door across the hall opens as I stagger forward.

A familiar laugh. Addison.

Harvey Moon follows, always a step behind her.

“Oh!” Addison winces. “Hi, Katrina.”

“We didn’t look at each other!” Harvey blurts, referencing that dumb pact they made.

All the happy couples in Criminal Records oh-so-romantically promising to spend the week before the wedding apart in solidarity with Jonah.

All of them have somebody.

All of them are loved and honored and cherished.

But I’m not.

I’m just Katrina.

I’m alone.

The tears spill over.

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