“Honey, it’s seventy-five degrees. That’s not hot. You should know what hot is; you live in Houston.” “Where it is currently a reasonable forty-five degrees,” Alex argues. “Because it’s December. Also. Honey?” “Yes?” “No, I mean, since when do you call me honey?” And oh. That’s embarrassing. “Sorry.” “No,” Alex says, ears pink. “It’s fine. I just—I’ve never, uh—” He pauses, looking thoughtful. “Can I call you things too?” Eli doesn’t laugh as it’s clear Alex is self-conscious but powering through anyway. “Things like what?” He resists the urge to tack on a “sweetheart.” Alex opens his mouth.
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