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a bit at the use of my pet name. I didn’t want him to act like nothing was changed between us. “Ben, what did you want to talk about?”
    He flinched at my tone and I saw him retreat into himself. “I wanted to talk about us.”
    “Were you thinking about us when you went out with those women?”
    “I was trying to get over you,” he said with an edge in his voice. “Can you blame me for trying to move on?”
    Fine. Didn’t mean I couldn’t be pissed about it. “It was pretty sudden. A couple weeks after we broke up, as if you couldn’t wait to get out there. And then you posted all those photos on Facebook, knowing that I would see them.”
    “I didn’t do that,” he muttered.
    “Oh, come on. You knew full well that I would see them.”
    He shook his head stubbornly. “Maybe I was a bit pissed that you’d throw away our relationship over Jessica.”
    “Are you serious? I didn’t dump you over her; I dumped you because you lied to my face. I tell you something in confidence and the first person you told was a journalist. Then you tried to deny it.”
    Why did I come here?
    “I know and I’m sorry, but I still can’t believe you’d throw everything away after everything we’ve been through together.”
    I softened under his bright, blue eyes and hated myself for it. “I don’t know, Ben. It’s been a long time. I’m starting to move on.”
    “Will you please just give us another chance?”
    Maybe I should. Will probably won’t want anything to do with me again . I humiliated him.
    I shrugged and avoided his eyes. “Maybe, when I get back from the job.”
    The disappointment that flared in Ben’s eyes was mingled with anger. It surprised me.
     

Chapter 4
     
    I debated all day whether I should call Will and apologize for what I said. My phone sat in front of me on the kitchen table. A part of me hoped that he would call and make the decision for me.
    Coward.
    Another part of me wanted to distance myself. What would I apologize for? I’m sorry for hurting your feelings? Why did he get so upset with me anyways?
    When I told him I was going to see Ben, he reacted angrily. Jealously.
    I squirmed in my chair. He was the one who told me he had no interest in me. He kissed me back. If I knew he actually—if he was really interested, would I go on a date with him? My thoughts were muddled. I wanted to, but he clearly had some emotional issues. His problems aren’t mine .
    They might be if you’re going on a trip with him.
    I groaned in my bedroom, trying to search for something that would tell me what to do. I jumped at the knock on my door.
    “Come in.”
    Jessica’s head poked around the door. Good , I thought . I can ask her about it .
    “Just got home. Wanted to see what you were doing,” she said as she sat down on my bed.
    “Will wants me to go to Europe with him.”
    She did a double take. “Um—what?”
    I smiled. “Also, I saw Ben.”
    “Whoa, whoa!” She stood up and placed her hands on her hips. “Slow down! When did this all happen?”
    “Happened today, actually.” I enjoyed the waves of shock rippling across her face. “I don’t know where I stand with either of them, but Will offered me a job to go to Europe and design some pamphlets for Luke’s campaign. I think I’m going to take it. It’s only for a few weeks.”
    “Wait—isn’t this a bit weird? He knows you for a week or something and all of a sudden, he wants you to go to Europe with him?”
    “It’s definitely weird, but I don’t care.” My voice trembled. “I need this, Jessica.”
    She looked at me with a bit of reservations stirring in her eyes, but she nodded. Of all people, she would understand.
    “Well, how did it go with Ben?”
    “Not so good. As expected.” I studied her face, looking for signs of relief. “Don’t you hate him?”
    The question caught her off guard. “Hate him?” She shook her head. “I never had a problem with Ben, until…”
    Until he sold you out.
    “Listen,”