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My mom texted me this morning telling me Bryan heard from Dane, and he’s gone on vacation to a skiing resort, and I was glad she didn’t call me to tell me. I don’t think I could have stayed neutral and kept the lie. I didn’t even keep it from Elisa, who knew something was wrong as soon as she woke up. I haven’t slept and tossed and turned all night worrying about this idiot. So, of course, I look like death and have crazy dark circles over a dull skin tone.

Dane wanders in a few minutes later, with his lower half dried and dressed in the sweats he had laid out. He’s carrying a tee and zip-up, but there’s still water over his shoulders, upper back, and hair. I move to take the towel he has under his arm and instinctively start patting his upper chest and neck before gesturing for him to lean down to run his hair. Dane narrows his eyes on me, obeys, and sets his gaze on his feet instead.

We say nothing, just stand facing one another while I dry him off and then maneuver his clothes on c