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‘Friends with benefits,’ Cara echoed weakly, her stoht

That friendliness turned to consternation ‘Have I spoken out of turn?’

‘Not at all,’ Cara said, knowing as she said the words that they sounded weedy and pathetic

The woive me, I meant no harm I didn’t know you were serious about him’

‘I’m not’ Cara strove to affect nonchalance From the pity in the other woman’s eyes, she failed miserably at it

‘Ito the door ‘Please, forget what I said I didn’t know—’

‘I’m not serious about him,’ Cara interrupted, her horror at the wo her innate shyness ‘I’oldfish’

‘That is a little unfair,’ the wooldfish’ With a quick wink she entered the bathroom and shut the door behind her

Taking rapid breaths, Cara rejoined the party, trying desperately to contain the nerves that threatened to overwhelm her

As she sought out Pepe she could feel people staring at her, feel their curiosity about this stranger in theiroccasion, this was a proper party for friends to le, catch up on each other’s lives, drink too much alcohol and behave indiscreetly She couldn’t even have a glass of wine to calm her nerves

Eventually she found hilass of beer in his hand Walking towards them, she almost came to a stop when she saw one of the woive the, she had no idea, but it felt as if apoked into her skin

Pepe laughed and grabbed the wandering hand He brought it to his lips Whatever he said as he kissed it hter

‘Cara,’ he called, spotting her and beckoning her over When she reached hi her hip The same hand that just moments earlier had held another woman’s hand so he could kiss it

‘I don’t think I’ve introduced you—this is Lena and Francesca Ladies, this is Cara’

The to-hand lady held her hand out Much as she wanted to refuse, Cara forced herself to shake it, all the while thinking, This hand just squeezed Pepe’s butt This is another of his ex-lovers

How many of them were here?

The hot pins poking her skin were now strong enough to make her brain burn