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"I was ready to get out of the business But I didn’t have any qualifications I was good at fucking and nothing else Then, as fate had it, I got a new client She was a first-tier woman, and he’d left her Her friends had told her she needed to get back on the horse One of her friends was a client of ed to ot there, I could tell off the bat that she wasn’t ready So, we talked instead And I foundwhat I was doing I told her about Tate How I needed the e Then, she told me that she was a producer for a network They had a part on a show they were auditioning for, and she said I had the exact right look for the character Asked if I had any acting experience, which I didn’t She gave et some lessons and that she’d set ood on her word Calledith a date and time for an audition So, I went to the audition I’d never been so fucking nervous in my life I threw up in the restroom beforehand And then I went in and auditioned

"The next day, I got a call I’d gotten the part I couldn’t fucking believe it It wasn’t big ular part on a fucking television show So, I called up ame The hit on the money was hard for a while, but then I auditioned for some film roles, did some small parts, and then landed a lead role in estures his hands around his apart ti, I was nervous thatto the press or one of the woency wouldn’t want the press, and those wo for sex They definitely wouldn’t want it to be public knowledge Soh-powered jobs None of the out They all had as much to lose as I did So, I kneas safe

"And, when it ca out, so I hadthey’d never talk about me and Tate to the press I couldn’t have the fact thatandup Tate’s life either They’d screwed things up enough for the both of us already I had us back on track, and I wasn’t going to risk then the NDAs?"

He rubs his hand over his jaw, sadness filling his eyes "Surprisingly, yes Maybe they thought they owed us for fucking up our lives I don’t know I’lad they did"

"God, Gabe I don’t knohat to say"

"Don’t worry I just dropped a mother lode in your lap And it’s not a story you hear every day You probably need soets up "You want a drink? Brandy’s always good for shock"

I stare up at him "I’m not in shock, Gabe"

I reach up and take hold of his hand, and he lets est But I’s were so hard for you back then"

His eyes narrow atpity, Ava"

I get toin front of him "You don’t have it I don’t pity you But I ah with your parents And, honestly, I don’t think prostitution is a great way to earn ht circuht reasons And yours was How could anyone think that what you did to keep you and your brother together was a terrible thing? If they did, then they’d be fucking idiots I’m just sorry that it ave you an opportunity to get out and change your life"

He’s staring at me There’s a multitude of emotions in his eyes But I’e how you see me?" His words are almost a whisper

"Only that I see all of you now And itin my eyes"

He looks confused Like he can’t make sense of the words I said "And you still want to be withthat I used to fuck wo other woeneral, so let’s not say that anymore" I step closer to hi in this world could make me not want to be with you Apart from if you cheated on me Because then I would have to chop your dick off, and that wouldn’t be good ’cause I’d have to go to jail Or you stole money from me, which would be weird ’cause it’s not exactly like you need it Or if you--"

"Ava"

"Stop ra, I know I don’t mean to I just--"

"I love you"

"What?"

He steps into my body and takes my face in his hands "I love you I’m in love with you or what-the-fuck-ever you want to call it I’m in it with you"

He lovescrazy in ht?"

A ses his lips "I do now"

Then, he kisses me so hard and passionately that it knocks the breath froet so lucky to find you?"