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"No." Rhyven stops. "You don't get to spend your final hour giving me a list."

His expression changes.

"Final hour?"

"You know what I mean."

"Questionable wording."

"Shut up." He almost smiles. Then doesn't.

"Fine." He says.

"Fine." Another silence. My skin cools from the run.

I suddenly realize I'm still sweaty and disgusting.

Excellent. Romantic. No.

Rhyven reaches toward my bookshelf. Pulls out another book. Looks at the cover.

"Terrible."

I stare. "You haven't read that."

"Title."

"Give it."

"No."

"Rhyven." He holds it out of reach. Asshole. I step toward him.

He moves it higher. Of course.

"Tall people are a societal flaw."

"No."

"Give it back."

"Ask nicely."

I stare. "Absolutely not."

For one second, this feels normal. Training room. Coffee. Books. Him being impossible. Me talking too much. Good. I wish it would stay.

I stop reaching. Rhyven's arm lowers. He gives me the book.

"When." I ask.

"What."

"Do you leave the building."

"Eight thirty." My chest tightens. Thirty minutes. No. Less.

"Okay." Again. My favorite word.