I can be grating to spend extended periods of time around, especially when I’m fixated on a particular activity or outcome. I wouldn’t want you to feel cornered into something you’d regret.” Tallulah frowns at me. “Says who?” “Says who, what?” “Who,” she says calmly, but there’s an edge to her voice, “says you’re ‘grating’ to spend a lot of time around?” “Oh . . .” Heat creeps up my cheeks. I clear my throat. “Just . . . most of the people who’ve spent a lot of time around me.”
