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“We used to live up there,” James said “I tell everyone my wife rescued me from my studio apartment and loft bed If it weren’t for her, I’d probably still be there”

“I hope not” Philip stood up

“What about you?” James asked “Have you always lived don?”

“I’ve always lived in One Fifth,” Philip said “I grew up there”

“Nice,” Ja “What do you think about the Rices, by the way? Guy seems like an asshole toin a two-thousand-gallon aquarium”

“I’ve learned not to get involved in the altercations of the other residents,” Philip said dryly “That’s my aunt’s area”

“I thought you knew Schiffer Diah,” James said “Didn’t you two used to date?”

“A long tio,” Philip said He handed the cashier forty dollars and tried to get away fro out the door But James followed him Now Philip was stuck with James for the two-block walk back to One Fifth It seemed an eternity “We should have dinner soirlfriend What’s her naain?”

“Lola,” Philip said

“She’s young, isn’t she?” James asked nonchalantly

“Twenty-two,” Philip said

“That is young,” Jahter”

“Luckily, she isn’t,” Philip said

They reached the building, and Jao sohborhood Maybe Knickerbocker?”

Philip couldn’t see a way out What could he say? “I never want to have dinner with you and your wife”? “Maybe after Christmas,” he said