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Josh nodded “And there’s still the matter of my dad”

“Really? He seems convinced”

“Don’t be fooled The way he’s acting toward you isn’t an act, but the guy’s working on five different levels at once You’re seeing the convivial side on the surface, but a little bit below, he’s watching us like a hawk”

A shiver ran through me “That doesn’t really put me at ease”

“Don’t get too freaked out about it Staying chill and cal But I want you to know, thean easy mark”

“But you think we can do it?”

“I knoe can do it”

Josh’s confidence set me at ease Sure,

He reached over and gavea squeeze For a moment I wondered if that cut into the physical contact rules, but it see else I decided to let it slide Bigger things to worry about But then so I felt but hadn’t been sure how to talk about

“Listen There’s so I need to say”

“Sure What’s up?”

“OK, this whole pretend thing we’re doing I’”

“And I’?”

“No, I don’t only mean the fiancée part I mean the relationship part”

He appeared very confused “What are you talking about?”

It was e, but there was no other way to say it “I’m really bad at relationships”

The confusion was replaced with relief “Oh, is that it? Well, aren’t we all? I’m not exactly a pro at them myself”

“That’s not exactly what I mean”

“Then tell me”

“I mean, I’ve barely had any relationships Like, at all”

If Josh was confused before, noas totally, perplexed “I don’t get what you’re saying Break it down for a guy with a low IQ”

“I mean exactly what I’ve said I’ve barely dated at all”

“You ht? Like you’re so busy ork that you don’t have ti”

“I wish I could say that was the case But it’s a bigger problem than that”

“Give me an idea”