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"Sorta"

He waits because we both know that’s not an answer

"I just never want to get in that situation again I never want to be controlled like that What I do want," I say, looking hiet mowed down by a boyfriend’s personality, or dreams, or needs I want to ain Does that ing my feet and I lean my head sideways on the back of the seat and try to relax as I listen to the rain pound the roof of the car

"I get it, Rook I have the same problem, except in reverse"

I open my eyes and look at him "What do you mean?"

"Well, I have this rule that I won’t date a hs a little, "obviously But the part I won’t break is where these encounters will end up I want a nor kids up in Antoine’s studio I don’t wanther clothes off so I can touch her in front of the ca I want kids in Catholic school and athis thing with Antoine’s studio will last, but I’m pretty sure that I’d rather die than be the father of a teenage girl who runs the raphy studio"

I sht That’s a disaster waiting to happen

The car pulls into the studio parking garage and Ronin slips my shoes back on We wait for the driver in silence, then make our way to the elevator and head on upstairs

"So where’s that leave us?" Ronin asks

I shrug "I dunno," I say honestly I have never fantasized about gettingchildren, not even as a child, because I have no gooddeal to Ronin and I don’t want to ruin our perfect night, so I follow up uess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens"

Chapter Thirty-Three - RONIN

When the elevator doors open Rook and I are bo orders at technicians and Antoine spies us fro out in French as he crosses the distance

"What’s going on?" Rook asksout of Antoine’sof a ladder across the floor I feel Rook tense at the screeching noise "We have to get a shot in the rain for TRAGIC" I should’ve anticipated this, really But I stopped thinking about work hours ago

I put my hand up as Antoine approaches, but I know it’s useless There’s no getting out of it, we have to shoot tonight Now "Go with Elise, she’ll get you ready"

"Wait" She grabs a hold of ht now?"

"Yeah, sounds like fun, huh?"

She rolls her eyes ata et used to it if this is the life you want" I push her towards Elise and sigh I know it’s a dig at her declaration of independence, but I can’t help it The last thing I want is this girl half naked in the cold rain at night But it’s in the contract that we get a rain shot, so it must be done