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Ava tried to calm her nerves as she approached Amir’s apartment building, a five-story walkup with ornate, decaying trim. This is a low-stakes activity, she reminded herself. Your only task is not to think about Mat the whole time.
A few men sat on the stoop with beers. If she were being completely honest, Ava would admit that part of the appeal of Amir was that, according to his Kinder bio, he had graduated from Wharton the same year as Mat. Maybe he’d remember Mat. Maybe somehow Mat would hear about the date through the Wharton alumni grapevine. She didn’t allow the fantasy to continue.
‘Need to get in? Here ya go,’ one of the men said, standing up, holding the door open for her. She saw he was wearing a Curious Collar around his neck.
‘No,’ Ava said. ‘I mean, thanks. But I’m just
