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But once we’re settled down and we get to talking it really is just like Michael said

It feels like I’ve known hiet past my initial nerves and self-doubt, theapart from him

Although, when he does talk, it’s all about me for some reason

I deliberately avoid talking about my family and he in turn deliberately avoids the topic of his own personal life

He mostly wants to know all about the real me

Soht to ask about

What do I love? What do I hate?

There’s nothing that Michael see out what makes me tick

Who I live with or what I actually do is secondary, as long as it doesn’t involve another male

For some reason every time I even mention a man or male, he seems to bristle at the idea

As if the idea of anotheranywhere near me drives him nuts

He even growled at the stehen he asks if we needed anything, ized for disturbing us

I think to ask his

We’ve justto know each other, ould he be so protective?

I try to pick Michael’s brain about himself What he does and where he lives, but he seems to calmly brush it aside whenever I ask a question about hiain

There’s a look he givesI want to know in good time

But how much time do we have?

I can see nohattoo hopeful when it comes to men

Assuh no matter how shiny the wrapper is

But that’s my mom’s experience Her relationship with my dad doesn’t have to be my future, does it?

Doesn’t it?

We’re quiet for a while, outside the , the landscape shows the glowing oranges and purples of a spectacular sunset, just out of view over some low mountains

“I hope I’ at his watch, observing how close it is to dinner already

“I don’t think we even had lunch,” he says, looking over to