Page 112 of Fauxmance

"You've changed since you've been with him. I get that you don't care what I think, but it's not for the better."

Straightening my spine, I just looked at him, daring him to say more.

"His grandmother didn't even fund my father's campaign," he said. "Even after we wined and dined the witch. She still wouldn't give him her support."

"Good for her," I said.

Constance Davenport was no fool. Sean's dad was a loud, angry good ole' boy. I'd always disliked how he used hate to divide people and how he encouraged others to join him in that hate. Constance had probably seen right through him and his smarmy ways.

Sean threw me a disappointed look.

"See? You'd never say something like that before," he went on. "Going to all these weddings, hanging out with Hayden, come on, Magnolia. Don't be stupid. He's not serious about you. He can't be. The guy's never been serious about anyone. He's an entitledasshole—"

"Don't talk about him like that."

"—and I just don't want to see you get hurt."

If he thought that would make me melt, it had the opposite effect.

My blood had turned to ice in my veins.

My voice was cold as I said, "Hayden is one of the best people I've ever met. And you have no right to say anything bad about him because, right now, you are literally one of the worst."

Sean shook his head.

"You've changed," he said again. "You were always so sweet, so ladylike. What happened?"

"My boyfriend dumped me on the day before my sister's wedding, and I ended up making out with the guy who consoled me in an elevator," I said. "Oh, and I realized what a heartless jerk you are."

It was with great joy that I watched Sean's face go slack.

"Have a nice life with your new girlfriend, Sean," I said. "Don't talk to me about Hayden again, or I'll show you just how unladylike I can be."

I walked away, feeling lighter. A weight, about the size and height of Sean, had just been lifted from my shoulders. Then he threw his last parting shot.

"Well, don't say I didn't warn you, Magnolia," he called to my back. "Hayden Davenport will break your heart. When it happens, don't come running to me."

I did the only thing I could think of.

I raised my right hand in a one-fingered salute.

My etiquette teacher would have a fit if she saw it.Mrs.Wheeler had taught us rude hand gestures were only reserved for the small of mind. But I felt like that description fit Sean pretty well, and I was just done.

His gasp of shock should've made me feel better, but it didn't.

For all the nonsense he'd just spouted, Sean was right about one thing.

His words replayed in my head.

Hayden Davenport will break your heart.

I knew it was probably true.

And yet, I held onto the hope of maybe.

Maybe Hayden would fall with me.

Maybe he already had.

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