Why do I keep doing this? Why do I keep caring about men who are either too cruel to care about anyone but themselves or too emotionally inept to care about me the way I deserve?

I need to stop this before it breaks me. I need to protect myself. Because Lord knows that though I’m stronger than I used to be, it’s too damn easy to slip back into old patterns disguised as something new. Too damn easy to mistake chemistry for care. Too damn easy to let a man’s hot-and-cold emotions dictate how I feel about myself. Too damn easy to lose myself again.

If Victor Grimes wants to act like last night was a mistake, then I’ll make damn sure he never gets the chance to make it again.

“That’s right, girl! Fuck his head up with this sexy dress you’re wearing! That man doesn’t even deserve to look your way.” Serena says while curling my hair.

Kiera chimes in. “Heck, yeah! You should definitely quit, Kerry. I could’ve sworn Vic was a great guy after the Beach Bum Day Parade, but hell no! Not anymore. He practically took your virginity last night and ghosted you!”

Serena and Kiera burst into laughter, but I just roll my eyes, shaking my head at their dramatics.

“I was not a virgin,” I huff, shifting in my seat as Serena twists another section of my hair around the curling iron.

“Girl, you might as well have been!” Serena tuts, adjusting a curl. “Cory ain’t never made your ass come! And the way you described it? The shaking, the moaning, the out-of-body experience? With barely a touch? That man snatched your soul and then had the audacity to regret it? Oh, hell no.”

Kiera tuts, pointing at me with her wine glass. “Exactly. That’s why you’re about to step out looking like this. Give him something to regret for real.”

I smirk at my reflection, smoothing down the sleek, fitted dress hugging every curve in all the right places. It’s deep red, and I look bold, confident, and irresistible. The off-the-shoulder neckline teases my bare skin, while the sculpted rosettes along the hem add just the right amount of drama.

The girls put the final touches on my hair and makeup, like I’m about to step onto a runway instead of having a faux date slash business dinner with Vic.

A few minutes later, I hear a rumbling entrance through the front door.

“Grandma’s here!” Ms. Vicky belts out, her voice booming through the house.

“Vicky’s here? I thought Hud was coming.” I shrug.

Before I can even react, Serena perks up. “Hudson? Isn’t that the brother you were telling us about?”

I nod absently, barely paying attention, too busy bracing myself.

Kiera throws her hands in the air. “There’s the answer to Vic’s games. Make him jealous.”