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“I want to talk about this morning.”

My nostrils flare with an exasperated exhale. “Of course you do.”

“You do too, if you would just be honest.”

“I don’t know what you want me to say. We fell asleep, and then you were gone when I woke up. I think it speaks for itself.”

“We both know if I’d been there when you woke up, you would have freaked out. You would have overanalyzed the entire thing, and then we’d be right back to the insufferable game we’ve been playing where you pretend you don’t want me, and I pretend it doesn’t make me crazy.”

“Well, I guess we’ll never know,” I tell him blandly. “Since you left.”

Ezra sighs. “Let’s play a game. Answer my questions, and I’ll trade each answer for an objection.” He pauses for another moment. “Save for a select few.”

I let out a heavy sigh, leaning my head back against the headboard as I look up at the ceiling. I wonder if it was always inevitable, us having a conversation like this. I wonder if it was ever possible that we could just get through this thing we’ve been doing scathe-free.

I focus my attention back on my laptop, resigning myself to a conversation I’ll probably regret.

“Fine,” I say tersely. “You objected to Request Number Four onthe basis that it isvague, overly broad, and unduly burdensome, and that itseeks information that is proprietary and confidential. Surely you understand what material is sought by this request, otherwise, how could you determine that it seeks information that is proprietary and confidential?”

“Fair enough,” he assents. “I can omit that one.”

“For a price,” I mumble bitterly.

“I’m a lawyer, Dani,” he chuckles. “All I do is counter.”

“Fine. Ask your question.”

“What would you have done, really, if we’d woken up together this morning?”

I blanch. “I…how would I know? There’s no way for me to know since you—”

“Be honest, Dani. After everything that’s happened between us, how do you think you would have reacted?”

I go still, thinking. If I were being truly honest with myself, there’s no doubt in my mind I would have freaked out. Fucking each other is one thing,sleepingtogether is something completely different. I hate that he apparently knows me well enough to call me on this.

“I can…admit that I might have reacted poorly.”

“You would have flipped shit and kicked me out,” he snorts.

I will not smile at his teasing tone. I won’t.

“Guess we’ll never know for sure.”

“But you enjoyed last night, didn’t you?”

Uncomfortable awareness creeps up my spine. “That’s more than one question.”

“Sorry. Go ahead.”

“Number Six.” I find the line on my screen. “You objected on the basis thatit exceeds the scope of expert discovery under Rule 194.1.”

“And?”

“Rule 194.1 governs the production of statements given by parties or witnesses—notthe scope of expert discovery. Even if you meant to refer to Rule 192.4, which does address expert discovery, you are still wrong, because the law requires the production ofany written report made by the expertconcerning the expert’s findings and opinions.”

“Someone’s getting technical,” he laughs softly.

“Someone has a lot at stake,” I counter. “Wehavenamed experts now. They have to answer.”