Something in Neil's chest thrills. They've hung out plenty since Neil's been here, but mostly it's been hanging out, privately. There have been a couple of over-nights, but Neil's been doing his best not to put any more stock into that than a glancing thought; Gabriel doesn't ever seem to want to talk about it, so Neil puts it aside.

But that--the offer to go out, to eat together, and just let it be. To not have the pretense of either girl. It thrills in Neil's chest and his cheeks go warm to think of it.