Page 65 of Saint Céline

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“There’s absolutely an oh no.” She lowered her voice dramatically. “You’re emotionally cheating with your molecular biology professor.”

“I’m not emotionally cheating.”

“You’re thinking about another man while your boyfriend texts you good morning paragraphs.”

I glanced instinctively toward my phone on the nightstand. Still unread. Guilt flickered briefly beneath my ribs. Then vanished just as quickly.

Anya watched my face carefully. “You don’t even feel bad.”

“I do.”

“You feel obligated.”

I felt my chest tighten. Miss Astoria lifted her head sleepily at the movement.

“That’s unfair,” I said quietly.

“Is it?”

I opened my mouth. Then closed it again. Because I couldn’t honestly remember the last time I felt genuinely excited to see Thad instead of merely relieved by what he represented. Security. Status. Predictability. A future that looked expensive and socially approved. That had always been enough before. Hadn’t it?

Anya leaned her chin against the back of the chair. “What actually happened between you and Moreau?”

“Nothing.”

“Céline.”

I hesitated.

Anya’s eyes widened immediately. “OH MY GOD.”

“Keep your voice down.”

“NO.”

Miss Astoria startled awake and glared at both of us. Anya lowered her voice only slightly.

“Something happened.”

“Nothing happened.”

“You look like a woman hiding a body.”

Technically, I was.No.Not technically. I pushed the thought away immediately before my own nervous system betrayed me.

“He’s just…” I stopped again.

Anya waited.

I swallowed hard. “He broke into Thad’s apartment.”

Anya blinked once. Then her mouth opened and closed without sound.

I kept my eyes on the cat. “I woke up, and he was just… there. Standing beside the bed. In the dark. While Thad slept right next to me.”

Anya’s voice came out small. “You’re serious.”

I nodded once.

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