"WHAT? No! Why would you even ask that?"
Tori raised her hands in defense. "I had to, given where this talk is going."
"Where exactly is it?" I asked through clenched teeth. "We're basically on the same pace here. I'm not speeding towards a cliff or diving into a sea of sharks."
"Right.. Right... whatever you say, I totally understand." She scratched the bridge of her nose.
"Tori... I. Do. Not. Have. Feelings. For. Ares."
"Alright! That's good because of the contract."
I sighed. "Besides the contract, I can't just... those things get you nowhere."
"We're talking about Dan now?"
"I spent five years devoting myself and trying so hard to make things work."
"Okay... we're talking about Dan."
"All I want is to liberate myself, and for once want something for myself, and I'm not gonna be ashamed."
Tori nodded. "In the process of wanting, don't fall."
"I won't... I already know how it ends when I fall. Deja vu is not gonna meet me ever again."
