“How are things going with you and Nova?" said Hugh.
Adrian gawked at him, and, for the first time, began to regret coming up here. He should have just gone ahead and done the painting. It's not like they ever went down there. He probably would have grown up and moved out before they discovered it. But no---he was trying to be responsible, and this is what he got. "What do you mean?"
"Are you two...dating?"
When Adrian returned his question with a somewhat horrified stare, Hugh raised his palms. "We are allowed to ask that, aren't we?”