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"So you’ve never been in love?"

"I didn’t say that, did I?"

"So you have been in a relationship before, with just one woman?"

"Of course, but as I said, once --it’s hard to stay in love with that kind of guy At least that’s whatsome accountant You knoears a suit, carries a briefcase, hohed, setting his coffee down and relaxing further into the couch His words said he was okay with all this, but the wistful look on his face said otherwise

"It’s not what all women want," I countered

"Correction, it’s what the women I have dated all wanted At least until now That’s hat I have works great for reat They’re happy, I’m happy--ould I rock the boat?"

"Well, you’re already down to t, and I think you’d feel differently if the right woht wo about your life She wouldn’t rock your boat, she’d juht in and sail it with you"

"You’re a ro my shoulder

"I’m a practical rouy who travels a lot, because, frankly? I like my space I also take up the entire bed, so it’s difficult for me to sleep with anyone" I shookhow quickly I used to kick hters to the curb Some of my past wasn’t all that different from Simon’s He just had his sexcapades tied up in aSo what about you? Dating anyone?" he asked

"Nope, and I’m okay with that"

"Really?"

"Is it so hard to believe a hot, sexy woreat career doesn’t need ayourself hot and sexy--because it’s true It’s nice to see a wo for one And second, I’ about dating You know, hanging out? Casually?"

"Are you asking ht now?" I shot at hiest conversation I’ve ever had with a woman," he muttered

"A hot and sexy woman," I reminded him

"That’s for damn sure So, how about you? Ever been in love?"

"This feels like an ABC mini-series, with all the coffee and the love talk," I said I

"Come on, let’s celebrate thiswith his coffee

"Have I ever been in love? Yes Yes, I have"

"And?"

"And nothing It didn’t end in a very good way, but what ending is ever good? He changed, I changed, so I got out That’s all"

"You got out, like…"

"Nothing dra to be," I explained, settingwith oes We were together when I was a senior at Berkley, and he was finishing up law school It started out great, and then it wasn’t, and so I left He did teach rateful for that"

"A lawyer, huh?"

"Yep, and he wanted a little laife I should have caught on when he referred tobusiness’ He really just wanted soood and picked up his shirts from the cleaners on time Not for me"

"I don’t know you that well yet, but I can’t really see you in the suburbs so with the ’burbs, just not for me"

"You can’t move to the ’burbs Who would bake for me?"

"Pfft, you just want to see

"It’s hard to get everything you need from one person You knohat I hed, gesturing to hi on uy had finally arrived

"Thanks for the coffee, and the shower, and the pipe rescue," I said, stretching as I walked toward the door I nodded at the guy in the hallway and held up one finger to let hiht there

"No problem It wasn’t the nicest way to wake up, but I suppose I deserved that one"

"Indeed But thank you anyway"

"You’re welcoreat And if another loaf happens to make its way over here, that would be okay"

"I’ll see what I can do And hey, where’s my sweater?"

"Do you kno expensive those are?"

"Pffft, I wanthi you so-my-door present"

"I knew it You can drop it off later" I walked across the hall to let the guy in I directed him toward the kitchen and turned back to Simon "Friends, huh?"

"Looks that way"