Page 75 of Cruel Lies

RONAN:And?

CALI:It means KITTEN. I am not a kitten, Ronan. You said it yourself. I'm a sand tiger shark. Entirely without mercy.

RONAN:The two aren't mutually exclusive.

CALI:Does that make me a shark kitten?

RONAN:Yes. A creature with teeth that lets almost no one close enough to hear her purr. Yes. Exactly that.

CALI:I'm putting the phone in the freezer now.

RONAN:Before you do: Are you still wearing my shirt?

CALI:No.

RONAN:Liar.

CALI:You don't know that. Or did you actually hack my cameras?

RONAN:I don't need footage. You pressed the collar to your face this morning before you got out of bed.

CALI:I DID NOT

CALI:okay fine maybe i did

CALI:how

CALI:HOW

RONAN:Because it's what I would have done, if the shirt smelled like you.

CALI:Okay. Wow. See, THAT. That's the whiplash. Neck brace. I'm invoicing you.

RONAN:I'll pay it same day.

RONAN:You're not the only one still thinking about last night, you know.

CALI:Oh I'm not, am I? what specifically has stuck in that stubborn head of yours

RONAN:All of it. I remember everything about you, kotyonok.

CALI:Such as???

RONAN:The rest of my answer isn't appropriate for a Sunday morning when your mother is due in thirty-five minutes.

CALI: I have to go. My mother has a radar and if I answer the door grinning like this she will interrogate me until Christmas.

RONAN:Tell her the truth.

CALI:Which is?

RONAN:That you met a man who intends to tell you you're beautiful every day until you believe him, and that this morning was day one.

CALI:She'd have you investigated.

RONAN:She's welcome to try.

RONAN:Until tomorrow, Ms. Meadows.