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Lara grieted and rent was due in five days The only way she was going to h this month was if she survived on ramen noodles and cold cereal for teeks

Of course, given the size of her costu But she had class tonight It was her last seoal And nothing, not even affording fresh vegetables, got in the way of her goals

“Thanks, but I can’t,” she said with just a hint of regret

She’d survived on less for longer

And, hopefully, she wouldn’t be worrying about barelyit paycheck to paycheck soon

“Mistake,” Rudy said, his gaze cutting to her

“What’re you doing in here?” Flo pushed past Rudy, cast a glance over the undressed state of her various dancers, then shoved the e ht out of the fifties and blue eye shadow to match “Get I’ll report you to Roberto, you sneak in here one more time”

“Didn’t sneak Came in to offer Lara a spot at ten She refused Stupid” He looked past Flo to give Lara a derisive look, then shook his head and walked out

The door ricocheted as it slammed closed

“He’s right”

Lara glanced at the redhead, then shrugged Apparently that wasn’t a good enough answer, because the older wo dancers out of the room as she came By the time she reached Lara’s locker, half the roo fast

“I have plans,” Lara said before Flo could poke at her

“How long have you been here?” Flo asked, payingfor tears than to the wo out

“Two years”