Our table has Ronin and me, Veronica and Spencer, and Ford and no-name. We’re going boy-girl tonight, so I’m in between Spencer and Ronin. Ford’s woman is on Ronin’s right, so that puts Ford across from me with Veronica on his right. Everyone seems to be ignoring Ford’s date and I sorta feel bad. “So,” I say, loud enough to draw her attention. “I didn’t get your name earlier.”

Her eyes sweep past me, over Spencer and Veronica, and then rest on Ford.

Ronin leans in. “She’s not allowed to talk, Gidge.”

And this is when I notice the thin diamond choker around her neck. At first glance it looks like a piece of jewelry with a little charm on it. But… it’s not.

It’s… a collar.

“Hmmm. Well, that’s interesting.” I look over at Ford and he looks pretty proud of himself. “Should I drop it?”

All the guys chuckle as Ford nods, then Veronica takes over. “She’s a pet, Rook. If you make her break the rules Ford will have her bark for us, and as fun as that sounds, I’m really not up for it tonight. So just pretend she’s not there.”

“Okaaaaay. I’m ready for dinner.”

The waiters arrive and begin placing silver domed plates in front of us. Ronin stands just as they finish and taps his glass with a spoon. “A toast for Rook.” He pulls me to my feet and when I look around I get a little embarrassed with all the attention. Every face has turned to me. “Rook.” Ronin brings my attention back to him. “Four months ago you literally appeared on my doorstep. And the minute I saw you, I knew—” My heart flutters for a second and I have to take a deep breath because I’m not sure what he’s gonna say. “I knew”—his voice softens as he looks me in the eyes—“that you were something special.”

The whole terrace erupts into a collective, “Awwwww.”

“And this party is just a way for all of us”—his arms spread out towards all the tables—“to show you how much we care.” And then he leans down and kisses me, whispering “I love you,” as he pulls back. “Cheers!”

Everyone cheers as Ronin and I take our seats and then Spencer cries out, “Let’s eat!”

I lift the silver dome off my plate and bust out laughing. “Ronin Flynn, you are a sneak.”

But he’s my sneak, and I love him for it. Because on my plate is the most delicious-looking cheeseburger I’ve ever seen, nestled on top of a giant mound of French fries.

Chapter Seven - ROOK

“What are you laughing about?” Ronin asks later as his hands slip around my waist and slide down to rub my stomach.

I’m standing over by my old garden apartment looking down at the people on the street. It’s Friday night, so it’s really busy. I turn to face him and casually drape my arms over his shoulders. “You know me pretty well, Larue. I thought for sure dinner would be something funky and French.”

He chuckles. “It was either salads with chicken on them or hamburgers. And guess who made the final decision?”

“Um, the pregnant lady over there stuffing her face with strawberry shortcake?”

“That’d be the one.”

We both watch Elise chew and chat with Josie at the same time. Antoine is also watching her from across the terrace and you can just tell he’s dying to say something to her about talking with her mouth full. He hates that. But his hand scrubs his scratchy chin for a moment and he thinks better of it. Wise man.

“I’m falling hard for you, Rook. I hope you know that.”

I look up at this incredible man and I have no words for what I feel. I’m not falling for Ronin, I’m laid out flat on my face. He is the perfect man. He’s put up with so much from me. He’s stood by me when I insisted on making mistakes, and planned an entire con job so that Jon would get his karmic payback. He deserves so much more than the indecision and distance I’ve given him over the past few months.

“I told you a while back that I’d like to belong to you, Ronin. Someday.”

His hand cups my face and his thumb traces the curve of my chin.

“I think someday has come and gone because I think I’ve always belonged to you. From the very first moment we met in the stairwell, I wanted you. And even though it took me a while to understand my feelings, I guess I’m better late than never.”

He laughs and pulls me into a hug. “I’ll take late, Gidget. I’ll take late.”

Clare and Ford walk past us and then enter the garden apartment. It just occurs to me that the lights have been in inside there the entire night. “What’s with those two?” I ask Ronin.

“Exit interviews for the pilot. Ford figured he’d have all of us together tonight, so why not do interviews. Two birds kinda thing.”

“Oh.” No one told me about any exit interview, but shit. No one tells me anything unless I ask. Maybe I should start asking? “But why Clare, then? She wasn’t in the show.”

“Well, technically she was. Since you were the female star and I’m your boyfriend. And I kept leaving you to go see her.”

“Wait, so all that’s gonna be in the show?” Oh, f**k. That sucks. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Most of my angst came from jealousy of Clare. I just didn’t think she’d be quizzed on it at the end. “Did you get interviewed yet?”

“Ford said I’m last. He needs your reactions first or some shit like that.”