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“Do you play?” he asks, stepping over and sliding the cue ball across red felt

“Not billiards” Cracking open the bottle, I pour two glasses mid-way “You’re up”

Stepping to the counter, he lifts one “Skal” With a clink, he slams the entire contents back

“Swedish?” My eyes only pinch a little as I do the same

“No, I only figured if we’re shooting vodka, we should keep it real”

I’ looser than ever “So if you’re not Swedish,” I glance up and give hiton?”

“Chicago” He takes the glass, openly letting his eyes run all over le follows his inspection

“I don’t believe it,” I say, sliding the fur off ive him a better look

“Why?” He moves a bit closer “Too conventional?”

“Chicago is where I live now”

“Now?”

“I spent the last year in Paris”

His eyebrows rise “The City of Love?”

“I prefer City of Lights”

“Right” He’s even closer Close enough that I can sne “You don’t do love”