Two steps then she felt his hand on her elbow. Valerie turned to look at him but said nothing until he had finished talking. “Either way a ten year old is, well, ten.” She made a face that said the idea made her sick and she shook her head.

“What she said and what I said were entirely different things. I never said the hypothetical sock was yours, just that if one existed for that purpose it would be a really sad sock puppet. Which, I stand by.”

Valerie pushed a few strands of blonde hair behind her ear and frowned up at Brian. “I never said you were in trouble, the situation was awkward when you put a spotlight on attraction by saying I should ask myself questions.” She lifted her arms up in a shrug just to let them slap against her thighs. When she spoke her voice was hushed, the tone confused, not angry. “What exactly does that mean? Do I give you the impression that I just run off with anyone and everyone I think looks nice?”