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T alia wished they’d had sex, but it would have been too soon. She wanted more from Zip. He knew a lot about her, more than most people, and he hadn’t run. He was sticking by her. She couldn’t believe that he wanted to be with her after everything she’d done.

A knock sounded on her door, and she moved to it, glad Zip had installed the peephole. She looked through it, seeing a stranger.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Dave from downstairs.”

“Dave. There isn’t a Dave.”

“Sorry. My dad died. I own the place. I wanted to introduce myself.”

Talia squeezed her hands into fists and weighed her options. Her landlord could have died. She wouldn’t have known. Now she had this guy standing outside her place, wanting to talk to her. It wouldn’t do any harm, would it? She slowly opened the door, bracing her foot behind it so she could stop him from barging in.

“Yeah?”

“Like I said, I’m Dave. I own the place now. I’m not changing anything. I’ll be the one you give rent to.”

“I was paying online. Can we do that?”

“Sure. I’ll give you my email address and information. Same price and stuff. I used to live here but moved to Los Angeles. I’m moving back so you’ll see more of me.”

She nodded and tried for a friendly smile. “I hope you enjoy living here.”

He narrowed his gaze then shook his head. “Sorry. I thought I recognized you but I don’t think so.”

Fear coiled deep in her belly. Being recognized sucked, especially by someone who watched porn with young girls in it. Once she looked older, they didn’t want her.

She shook her head. “Nope, I don’t know you. Must be someone else.”

He nodded and turned to leave but turned back. “Oh, stop by sometimes. I’ll give you a discount.”

She smiled and nodded. “Sure. Thank you.” This guy needed to leave. He would eventually remember where he’d seen her, and then he would want something and take it. There would be no respect, no kindness, just ownership. She’d seen it before.

Bile burned in her belly. She wanted to escape. She had to leave San Diego and go somewhere no one would recognize her.

Dave headed down the stairs, and she stepped back, locking the door behind her. She slid down the flat surface of the door, angry and sad. She wanted a relationship with Zip but doubted she could hold on to what they had. Some guy would do something gross, and Zip would be pissed. There was no out for her. She may have aged some, but she still looked like herself. Maybe in twenty years, no one would recognize her as that girl from the gross porn they’d watched, but she couldn’t guarantee it.

She would have to walk away from Zip to save him. He deserved better than her.