Page 44 of Can't Always Get What You Want

Nova: Sorry. I’m going to do better. I have a tendency to push people away.

Luca: I gathered. But I get it. Walls up, sarcasm sharp. Classic defense system.

Nova: It’s easier to laugh things off than actually…feel stuff. But I’m working on it. I want to be a good partner to someone someday.

Luca: You don’t have to be perfect to be a good partner. Just be real. And honest—which you’re already doing.

Nova: Even when I’m emotionally constipated?

Luca: I like the messy, complicated parts. They make you, you.

Nova: Stop or you’re gonna make me cry.

Luca: Too early in the night for that, but nothing ice cream can’t fix.

Nova: Well now I’m blushing and hate it. How dare you see through all my sarcasm and emotional landmines and still want to talk to me? WHO DOES THAT?!

Luca: Someone who likes the way your brain works. I don’t scare easy.

Nova: Ugh. Why are you like this? Supportive and good-looking? Pick a lane, Babineaux. You can’t do both.

Luca: Can’t help it. I’m gifted. But if we’re being honest, and I think we can both agree we have been—brutally so…

Luca: I have no interest in being someone you keep at arm’s length.

Nova: Do you think that’s what I’m doing?

Luca: I think you’re used to doing that with most people—yeah. But with me? No. I don’t think that’s how you want to be acting. I think you're testing the water to see if I'll back off.

Luca: Spoiler: I won’t.

Nova: I’m not used to guys who are not massive douchebags…

Luca: You’ll get used to it LOL I’ll do my best not to be an asshole.

Nova: If I said you’re making this really hard to keep pretending I don’t like you back… would you promise not to get cocky about it?

Luca: Of course not. That would be boring as fuck.

Nova: Okay. Switching gears before I start writing sonnets about your emotional availability. Tell me about your people.

Nova: My people??

Nova: You know—your best friends. I think who a man surrounds himself with says a lot about him.

Luca: I’ve got a solid crew. My roommate Cash has zero impulse control and gets hurt constantly.

Nova: You have a ROOMMATE?! How did I not know that?

Luca: Cause you’re not supposed to know that. You were off-limits.

Luca: Anyway—Nugget is actually his dog.

Nova: What does Cash do for a living?

Luca: He’s also an athlete. Snowboarder. Isn’t in town much, which explains why I spend most of my time pet sitting.

Nova: Any other roommates??

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