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The words hit ame world and back into reality Like I need a re a marathon of every romantic movie ever made Like the dudes atabout how they’re so getting laid tonight because they threw a box of chocolate or so with for three years didn’t balk when I asked hiht

Why? It’s not like we’re dating, Cora We’re just great FWB You’re like a bro with a vagina Sex without the dras like Valentine’s Day Which ht I had a boyfriend and didn’t, b) I’ve been sleeping with a guy who uses chat abbreviations in actual speech, and c) he actually said bro with a vagina like that was an okay thing to call me I’m not sure which one disturbs me more Probably that I let this “bro with a penis” in my bed For three years It’s too pathetic to even cry about Okay, maybe I cried a little

“I’nore the half-eht at the Walgreens on the way home

“Guess we have that in common, then” He’s close now If this were real life, the wispy dress Lenore is wearing would be whipping in the breeze, brushing against his skin He looks like he wants to rip it off I kind of want him to, until he lifts his hand

My fingers, so in tune with the controller by now, automatically shift to make Lenore take a step back My heartbeat has picked up speed The danger signals are going off intricks on my real brain

“Why are you scared to play, Lenore?” The voice caresses e as he lowers his hand

“What? I’m not I justlike to watch”

“I know I’ve watched you watch I’ve also watched you deftly deflect any offers You’re good at the tease Good at playing the less-experienced do after you”

My throat tightens and I reach for ame But if he plays, he does it privately And he doesn’t seeulars he talks to either He’s like a shadow That guy at the bar who comes in, drinks, and leaves But sonation on ame “You watch, too”

“Yes, I do But I also study There’s a difference I’ve studied you” He steps closer and this tiainst the controller There’s so much that I don’t know I don’t knohat he really looks like I don’t kno he smells or if his real voice is that deep But somehoith his words in my ear, the soft sound of his breath, my body reacts anyway, knows there’s a real , ether He reaches up and brushes hair away froainst ers would be, but I do “I’”

“Oh” My voice is sht My persona as Lenore the Confident Vixen slips out of my reach as my real self invades

“I think you are, too”

I close hto put up so libido “Why would you think that? You don’t know me”

“I know enough,” he says with utter calets you close to participating in the gaet sarcastic, and protect yourself You’ve got a sharp wit and a smart mouth, Lenore I bet in your life, you’re a force, a successful woive in to ive in to anyone”

The truth of the words rattles me This h the co my life

“And that’s exactly why you crave this so much Why you’re here so often You want to knohat it’s like and it terrifies you”

My throat is dry, the words sticky against ame”

“It’s been a very long tia on the screen What’s real is that I’m here and you’re here Whatever roles and labels we have in real life aren’t with us right now All that’s left is this: ant to do right now, alone, with no one else watching or judging No one will knohat happens tonight except us You can let go You’re safe”

Safe