Page 52 of Hot Zone

“Okay, I’ll be back in a few.”

“She’s really nice,” Mika said after we heard the door close behind her.

“She’s the best. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

“So, how are things going with you and Samuel?” he asked.

“Good, I think.”

“You think?”

“Yeah, he’s the best.”

“But? I think I hear abutin there.”

“But I’m worried I’m not enough for him.”

“Not enough? What do you mean?”

“I mean, I’ve never been anyone’s boy before. I’m not even a hundred percent sure what it means. I don’t know what he wants or if I’m giving him what he needs.”

“There aren’t rules for this type of relationship. It’s not like if you’re a boy, you have to do this, or if you’re a Daddy, you can’t do that. It’s about what works for the two of you as a couple.”

“Yeah, but nothing’s really changed.”

“What do you mean, changed?”

“I mean, other than the fact that we’re sleeping together, everything’s pretty much the same as before.”

“Did you want things to change?”

“No. I like things the way they are, but he gave me this whole speech about being a Daddy and how it’s a part of who he is. I guess I expected something to be different.”

Mika chuckled. “Mars, do you want me to tell you why nothing’s changed?”

“Yes, oh great wise one. Please enlighten me.” I rolled my eyes but gave him a smile.

“Because Samuel was already your Daddy.”

“What do you mean? Not to sound stupid, but you’re going to have to be more specific than that.”

Mika smiled. “Okay. What did you use to have for lunch?”

“Whatever Ziva picked up that day… fast food, pizza, stuff like that.”

“So not the healthiest of options. And now?”

“Now I have this,” I said, gesturing at my healthy lunch. “Because Samuel made it.”

“And how long has he been doing that?”

“Since I went to stay there.”

“Exactly. What other little things like that does he do?”

“Well, he makes me breakfast every day, and he gave me this hoodie because I didn’t have a jacket.”

“You still haven’t bought a jacket? Mars, it’s November.”

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