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           "Why?"

           "Isn’tthatcustomary?"heaskedinnocently.

           "Idon’tknow,"Iadmitted.Mydatinghistorygavemefewreferencepointstoworkwith.Notthatanynormalrulesofdatingappliedhere."That’snotnecessary,youknow.Idon’texpectyouto...Imean,youdon’thavetopretendforme."

           Hissmilewaspatient."I’mnotpretending."

           Ipushedtheremainsofmycerealaroundtheedgesofthebowl,bitingmylip.

           "AreyougoingtotellCharlieI’myourboyfriendornot?"hedemanded.

           "Isthatwhatyouare?"IsuppressedmyinternalcringingatthethoughtofEdwardandCharlieandthewordboyfriendallinthesameroomatthesametime.

           "It’salooseinterpretationoftheword’boy,’I’lladmit."

           "Iwasundertheimpressionthatyouweresomethingmore,actually,"Iconfessed,lookingatthetable.

           "Well,Idon’tknowifweneedtogivehimallthegorydetails."Hereachedacrossthetabletoliftmychinwithacold,gentlefinger."ButhewillneedsomeexplanationforwhyI’maroundheresomuch.Idon’twantChiefSwangettingarestrainingorderputonme."

           "Willyoube?"Iasked,suddenlyanxious."Willyoureallybehere?"

           "Aslongasyouwantme,"heassuredme.

           "I’llalwayswantyou,"Iwarnedhim."Forever."

           Hewalkedslowlyaroundthetable,and,pausingafewfeetaway,hereachedouttotouchhisfingertipstomycheek.Hisexpressionwasunfathomable.

           "Doesthatmakeyousad?"Iasked.

           Hedidn’tanswer.Hestaredintomyeyesforanimmeasurableperiodoftime.

           "Areyoufinished?"hefinallyasked.

           Ijumpedup."Yes."