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“It’s my dirty little secret,” I say with a nod “This video is a character assassination for anyone attached to it If this video comes out, and then the tabloids continue on with this story that we’re together…your business…?”

“You don’t need to worry about the tabloids” I see hi he wants to tell me but can’t Eventually, he continues, “I’m ahead of the situation with the tabloids They won’t print anything that I don’t already know about Trust ”

His choice of words freezes ?”

He watches o on and on Until he finally speaks up again “Is waking up and overthinking a habit for you?”

“Not norive a weak smile

He pauses “I suppose that’s true” Another pause Then, “Let oing on a proper date?”

I cock uy ns a sex club is old-fashioned?”

He doesn’t smile All too serious And of course he doesn’t focus on what I’ve said but asks his own question “Why are you worrying about this?”

Obvious concern tightens the corners of his eyes, and before he can get deeper into the line of thinking that I’m immature, I add, “I can handle just sex, but I think we need to be clear if that’s e’re doing”

The side of his mouth arches “You’re worried that I will cross an emotional line?”

I shrug “At this point, we’ve already crossed a lot of lines we both knoe shouldn’t, don’t you think?”

He watches h “Has anyone ever told you that you don’t act like you’re twenty-five?”

“Has anyone ever told you that it’s rude to discuss a woe?”

He barks a loud laugh now “Fair enough We want complete transparency, then?”

I nod “Anything else will get us in trouble”