Page 192 of Playing Dirty

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ROWAN

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said.

Mason didn’t move closer yet.

Just stayed where he was.

“I didn’t do anything,” he replied.

That was becoming a pattern with him.

Denying everything he clearly chose.

“You walked over,” I said.

“I was already here.”

“That’s not true.”

That got a pause.

Not defensive.

Measured.

Then:

“You were standing with him,” he said.

I blinked. “So?”

“So I came over.”

Like that explained it.

Like it was obvious.

I exhaled slowly. “That’s not an answer.”

“It is,” he said. “Just not one you like.”

MASON

She was watching me properly now.

Not casually.

Not distracted.

That version of her had been missing for most of the night.

And I didn’t like how much I noticed the difference.

“You don’t get to do that,” she said.

“Do what.”

“Act like it matterswho I’m talking to.”

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