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"Fuck," I mutter, quietly i like a dog with a bone over this "I ot pens and paper back at the studio and it’d be a lot easier to go back there than keep putting up with this just so I can use hers here I unfold my arms and push my chair back so I can stand

Her hand lands on my wrist as she tries to halt enuine concern there and that is the thing that stops ht now and I also bet you’re shutting down and trying to deal with it all by yourself Most of the men I’ve already interviewed admit they hate to talk about their stuff But you know the thing I’ve discovered throughout this whole research project? There’s a reason e shut down And it’s not justholdingthat scares the absolute shit out of me and makes me not want to admit stuff" She pauses for a moment, her hand still on my wrist, and reatest fear here? What is keeping you froirlfriend in?"

My heart beats faster in my chest, my head buzzes with confusion, and all I can do is stare at her while her words sink in Suddenly, it’s stiflingly hot in here and I rub et out of here so I stand "Sorry, but I’ve gotta go," I rab the paper with my two lines on it I leave in such a blur that I don’t even know if she says anything as I leave

What is your greatest fear?

Her words echo in my mind as I stride back to the studio

I don’t even want to think about reatest fear, let alone say it out loud

Shit

I double-check ht, and, unfortunately, I did It’s after seven at night, and I should have been houess that Presley will be wondering where I am if she’s still at my place

After my conversation with Vivienne, I spent a lot of the afternoon overthinking and overanalysing every dao insane It completely threwone song Hell, I haven’t even finished half of it

The taxi ride home takes less than twenty minutes, and as I ride the elevator up to my apartment, I briefly wonder if I want Presley to be there or not On the one hand, I’m desperate to see her and touch her, but on the other hand, I’er I’ I want to do

I unlock ht

She’s here

Closing the door softly, I hesitantly walk towards the kitchen, but when I get there, she’s nowhere to be seen I search so on my bed When she hears me approach, she lays her book on her chest and looks at me

"Hi" Her voice is soft, and I’ive her a smile "Hi, baby," I say as I sit on the end of the bed and take in to feel sick to htly so I was an asshole to her this isea can of worht now

Instead, I turn to look at her and as aze skims her body, the need to be in her consu picks up as the anticipation of having her builds inturns s ever