“Why does everyone keep making me tea?” I asked, taking a sip and immediately bursting into tears.

Jules took the mug from me, placing it carefully on the counter and taking one of my hands in hers. “Oh, sweet girl, he really did a number on you, didn’t he? You get it all out. We’re here for you.”

I hiccupped, pressing my fingers into the corners of my eyes. Nope, that wasn’t going to stop this latest crying jag.

“It’s clove tea!” I sobbed, the smell still wafting to my nostrils. “He … he had a smell, like cloves, and a wood fire.”

“Exotic,” Esther muttered dryly.

“I don’t even know why I’m so upset about it! We’d only known each other for a few weeks, but … there was something special there!” I sniffed, grabbing the tea and taking a swig. I wasn’t going to let stupid Satan Junior and his stupid exotic smell ruin this cup of tea … or the rest of my life.

“Was it love at first sight?” Jules asked quietly.

I snorted wetly. “It was ‘what a sexy jerk’ at first sight. But … then I got to know him, and … well, it hardly matters, because he showed his true colours, and apparently the dominant one was yellow-bellied commitment-phobe.”

“Well, more fool him, for letting you slip through his fingers,” Esther stood, slapping her thighs. “I’ve got a distraction for you! Want to see the photos we took on Friday? I think Jules has even mocked up a website and social media posts for Ferretcon!”

I swallowed. I wasn’t sure looking at myself in all that she-devil regalia would do anything but remind me of him, but I needed to stop wallowing. “Sure!” I winced at how unconvincingly enthusiastic I sounded, but neither of them seemed to notice.

Esther left, returning with a laptop that she opened with a flourish. “You’re one of the most photogenic people I’ve had the pleasure of photographing, Jemma.” She flicked open a slideshow, and my jaw dropped.

“That’s not … that’s definitely not me!” I exclaimed, staring at the sexpot who smirked sultrily on the screen.

“Sure is!” Esther crowed. “And these are raw images. Untouched. That’s just you and some quality studio lighting, Miss Bliss!” She tapped the keyboard, scrolling through image after image. “So, dry those tears, and hold your head high, knowing that loser gave up all of this because he was a scared wittle boy. And go find yourself a man who appreciates what a gorgeous, intelligent, funny badass you are.”

I grabbed a tissue and dabbed at my eyes. “Thank you, both of you. I … I really needed this. And also, Ezra needed a break from all the emo.”