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“So what’s the real deal?”

Glancing over at the other tables to , Clover scooted her chair closer, relief at finally being able to talk to souts in a knot “You can’t tell anyone Ever”

“Goodie That ood” Daphne held out her hand to the middle of the table and held out her pinkie “I sole mouth shut Spill”

Clover couldn’t help but grin It was a sign of unity they’d developed one night years ago in their freshman dorm after half a dozen too many cheap beers Still, the silly action represented the loyalty So she held her hand aloft, finger pointing, and touched her pinkie to Daphne’s Then, she told her everything—ot to the end, Daphne had been rendered silent

“So in a feeeks, we break off the engageets hisefforts, and I jet off to Australia fifteen grand richer,” Clover said “We both walk away happy”

She relaxed back against her seat, able to enjoy hanging out with Daphne without any weird I’htness filled her, happy and content All was right with the world However, judging by the expression on Daphne’s face, she wasn’t feeling the same

Finally, Daphne spoke up, “But you’re sleeping with him”

Okay, this was an obvious , but Clover had this one down “It’s not like I’ me for that It’s just for fun”

One of her eyebrows popped up practically to her blond hairline “Uh-huh”

Clover stiffened, indignation zapping up her spine “What’s that mean?”

“Well…” Daphne paused, pushing the broken pieces of crust from her quiche around her plate “You’re not exactly a casual sex kinda girl even with your obsession with new experiences”

“I’ to defend herself? It was her life

“You can take the girl out of Sparksville,” Daphne said “But you can’t take Sparksville out of the girl”

Her chest tightened and Clover pressed her lips together before she said soret later Daphne was her friend Her best friend They’d disagreed before They’d disagree again But that didn’t change the fact that they were always there for each other It’s just this ti a deep breath, she counted to five before letting it all out in a slow exhale

“It’s just sex,” she said, her voice cal in love with hi out Did I tell you we renovated a flea market find into a bar cart?”