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She ss hard "I don't know I haven't thought about it"

"Adam and Danielle?"

"He adores her"

"She's hot," I say

"And he isn't?"

"I thought you didn't like the scars"

"That makes me sound awful"

"Yeah Pretty fucked-up shit, Bri"

"I don't dislike them I'm just not into them the way she is"

"You think that's all it is? Sex?"

"For now"

"Lee and Harrison?" I ask

"Is that a real question?" she asks

"Yeah She's horrible, but he loves her"

"He does," she admits "But… I don't know Maybe that's all relationships Maybe ays love hoe feel with someone Or the empty spaces they fill"

"It almost sounds romantic"

"Al him to do? Your friend, Ian?"

"Nothing"

"Nothing?"

"I' about it"

"Thinking about…"

Asking hi on Simon"

"Why don't you ask him?"

It's not a bad point If Simon pulled this shit with me, I'd never let him hear the end of it

But I've tried

It's clear he's keeping secrets

Yeah, I can't talk, but I can't keep looking the other way either

"I'll see you at home," I say "Yeah?"

She nods "Danielle and I are going to get dinner after class"

"Oh"

"But after that…" Her voice softens "It ht be late, but I'll be home after that"

Relief floodshome

She's not running away

I haven't fucked things up irrevocably

"Don't call me Mr Pierce Fills my head with dirty role play scenarios," I say

She smiles "It's your name"

"Call ain, I order you out of your panties Understand?"

"I do" She takes a step backward "Good night, Liam"

"Good night" I watch her leave

My shoulders relax My chest eases

For a while, I slip into the zone I work until I see a light turn off in the other side of the office

Simon

He's still hiding so

And I still have to find out

I text my friend

Liam: Does your offer stand?

Then I hit the gyo home, shower, fix dinner

He doesn't reply until I'm on the couch in my pajamas

Ian: Of course