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I re the call he took while ere shopping "You told me that call had to do with Sofia," I say

"No I said there were things I had to take care of And that I orried about Sofia"

"Dammit, Damien, don’t split hairs with me You deliberately obfuscated the truth Why?"

"Because I didn’t want that bubble of yours to pop yet Not when I’d brought you here to escape reality for a few more days"

"I--" I want to cry out to him that he can’t hide shit like that from me, and he can’t plunk me in the back of a lih Because I get it He would have told me eventually--hell, the conversation would be hard to avoid But he wanted to give ift of peace for just a few more days

"Fine," I finally say "You’re off the hook about not tellingwith Edward"

"You are," Da, but I’et it I’ll have the car detailed I’ll make it work"

"The hell you will That car’s too old for a decent security syste to disappear, and it’s been on its last legs for a while You told me so yourself Besides," he adds e to donate her for parts"

I gape at hi me? No" I shake my head "Absolutely not That car has tooher for parts And who the hell do you think you are anyway?" I mean honestly, what the fuck?

"I’ happened to you," he says He’s as calm as the lake beyond us, and his level-headedness in the face of et to e my life Or dissect my car"

"You want to keep the car, fine Keep the car We’ll park it at Stark Tower You can keep it forever for all I care But I’ you a new one with a peri device, and whatever else goddamned security devices , but he’s co?"

"Absolutely"

"The hell you are"

"Don’t fight me on this, Nikki Not on an issue of your safety You want to keep the Honda, then keep it I’ll bronze the godda if you wanta new car to drive"

"Fine," I say I know he’s right The Honda’s been crapping out onnow And, yes, there’s sentiment, but no, I don’t need to keepto tell him that Not yet, anyway

But there is no way in hell he’s buying et one ive your opinion, then fine But I’et it, Edward can drive you"

"Oh, no," I say "If we’re doing this, we’re doing it today"

"Today?"

"There are dealerships all up and down the 10, right? So let’s just go hoet a car on the way"