page29 (2/2)

“And how do you propose we get to know each other?” she asked, taking a bite of the sushi

“I’ we learn things about each other The two are different”

“Less involved, I suppose,” she said

“Much” He took a roll off the platter with a pair of chopsticks Effortless for him, as ever “Where are you from?”

“Silver Creek Oregon S town Everyone knows your business Everyone knows you The entire population is kind of like your extended family”

“Which is why you moved”

“Yes To somewhere that didn’t have people with…expectations” Expectations of her failure Of her continuing to drift through life without a goal, without any success “And you, where are you from?”

“Roeles And then…when my mother died,” he said, his voice too s words he’d rehearsed to perfection, “I went into foster care I spent a few years with different families before the Colsons adopted me at fourteen”

“I could have found all that out by reading a bio online somewhere”

“But had you read one?”

“No”

“So, I still had to tell you”

“Fine, you did What else do I need to know?” she asked

He slid two covered plates over froe of the table and placed one in front of her, and one in front of himself She uncovered it and took alook and s her focus back to Dante

“My sign?” he asked, his tone dry

She laughed “I don’t even know n I don’t pay attention to that stuff”