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Penelope looks at me and the dog sitting at my feet skeptically, dropping her keys on the part of the counter that isn’t covered in ingredients. “Are we having some kind of mental breakdown here? I thought Zeus was going back toSebastian’s?” she asks while I shake my ass to the rhythm of the music.

I smile widely at her. “No, we’re celebrating. I quit Sebastian’s wedding, and Zeus is going to live with us for a bit.”

“Well, I guess this explains the texts from Blake asking if I knew if you were okay or not,” Penelope says, her face relaxing into a smile. “Are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Are you okay?” she repeats slowly, and I throw my arms around her to hug her.

“I’m great. Thank you for putting up with my moody ass lately.”

Penelope’s arms wrap around me, returning my hug. “Of course; you’d do the same for me. Now what kind of cupcakes are we making?”

I point to the slightly misshapen cupcakes cooling on a rack. “Dog cupcakes.”

“Madame Thomas would be so disappointed. What did you do to them to make them look like that?” Penelope teases, and my mouth instantly starts to water at the thought of her pastries.

“Her food sounds amazing right now, but these are dog cupcakes, and Zeus only cares about what they taste like.” I spin as the oven timer starts to chime, grabbing the pan with my oven mitts, pulling them out carefully.

Penelope smiles hesitantly, reaching down to pet Zeus. “It always sounds amazing.”

“What’s that face for?”

“Don’t hate me, but I’ve been thinking of going back for a visit next month. I miss home, and if you’re notphotographing the wedding anymore…then I don’t really think there’s a reason I shouldn’t go.”

Oh shit. How did I miss this? “You should absolutely go, Pen. I could never hate you, especially not for wanting to visit your family.”

She immediately smiles in relief. “Thank you.”

“Of course! I appreciate you wanting to stay in case of the wedding, but I am not going, so there’s no reason for you to worry about me. I love you for it, but I’m going to be just fine.”

Penelope pulls her dark hair back out of her face, her prominent cheekbones standing out with her blue eyes. I hope the guy she’s with right now appreciates what a catch he has. “What about the deal you made with Sebastian?” she asks curiously, and I let the question roll right off my back.

“I shouldn’t have agreed to it in the first place. What was I thinking?” I shake my head at my stupidity as I pour out more batter into tins. I don’t think there’s going to be a wedding anyway, but I keep that to myself.

Penelope’s smile widens. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve been thinking you’re nuts for a while, and agreeing to photograph your ex’s wedding only provided more evidence that theory is correct.”

“I came to my senses, and realized I don’t want or have to watch them get married. My presence will only be a distraction on what’s supposed to be the happiest day of their lives. Plus, Sebastian hasn’t had the opportunity to talk me out of it because I declined his call before turning my phone off.” I motion to where my phone sits on the kitchen table. I don’t even want to know what kind of voice mails he’s leaving on it.

A part of me is surprised he hasn’t shown up here demanding to know what happened, and for his dog back. I’d have no problem telling him that Kiera cared more about whether I’d tell him she cheated, than taking Zeus home.

“So, what are they going to do for a photographer now?”

I shrug and stir the batter a few times. “I don’t know, and I don’t care. It won’t be me, though.”

She hugs me from behind, and I’m glad she’s supporting me in this. I knew Penelope would, but it makes me feel better. “I’m so proud of you, Lia. You’re doing the right thing putting yourself first.”

I know I am, but the tiniest sliver of guilt inside me is threatening to expand.

I’m a bitch, but not a cheater.

That title belongs to the soon-to-be Mrs. Sebastian Walker.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Sebastian

WHATEVER PROGRESS KIERA and I had made at the beach was erased the moment Thalia quit the wedding. She’s been avoiding all my phone calls after the text she sent me, and against my better judgment, I asked Blake to talk to her. I left my meeting to head straight home to Kiera.