Page 169 of Bad Prince

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The way his jaw is tight.

The way his eyes don’t leave her face.

The way his body shields her from everything around them.

Protecting her. It’s instinct—without hesitation.

And it hits me—that could have been me.

If I hadn’t?—

If I didn’t—tell him to leave me alone.

If I hadn’t pushed him away.

If I hadn’t chosen distance…

My throat tightens. My lips start to tremble before I can stop them.

I press them together. Force it down. I shift my sunglasses higher on my face.

Hide.

Breathe.

Don’t let them see.

“Damn,” Delia whispers. “He didn’t even think.”

No, he didn’t.

That’s the problem.

He didn’t hesitate.

Not for her or for anyone.

He just—moved.

And I realize something I’ve been refusing to admit.

He didn’t change.

He didn’t become something new.

He didn’t turn into a different person for her.

That’s who he’s always been.

I just?—

Walked away from it.

My fingers tighten around the edge of the bleacher.

The metal is warm under my grip.

Real.

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