Julian’s POV “Oh, my girlfriend does,” I said, leaning back against the desk like it was the most ordinary thing in the world, like the word did not carry weight, like it would not land the way it just did. She looked at me, and I watched it happen in real time. “Girlfriend?” she repeated, softer, slower, like she was testing how the word felt on her tongue. For a moment, she didn’t move. It was subtle, but it was there. Something in her expression dimmed, like that single word had quietly taken something from her before she could protect it. “You have a girlfriend?” she asked as she sat down, her tone trying to stay neutral but not quite succeeding. “Yes,” I said, then added after a beat, “I once had a girlfriend.” Relief flickered across her face too quickly, like it escaped before she could hide it. “Oh… an ex.” “Can’t really call her that,” I replied, watching her closely. She looked at me again, properly this time, like she was trying to read past my words. “Are you
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