“I demand a consolation prize. The truth.” “Ugh, fine. If you didn’t know my real name, and if you lost interest, it wouldn’t have felt as personal . . . or as painful.” “I see.” He glances down at his hands. “Well . . . Turned out to be a nonissue after all.” “Right. Since this is all one big joke.” Another stretch of quiet holds between us before he says, quieter, “I meant that, in talking all week, I didn’t lose interest.” “Oh.” My eyes widen.
