Page 165 of Playing Dirty

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That got a reaction.

Small.

But real.

A pause.

Then:

“Yeah,” she said. “But I at least try to.”

That landed differently.

Because it wasn’t a challenge.

It was observation.

Rowan

He wasn’t defensive.

That was new.

Mason didn’t do “open” responses.

He did controlled ones.

But tonight felt slightly off that structure.

“You’re doing it again,” I said.

“Doing what.”

“Acting like everything has to stay contained.”

He looked at me for a second.

Then:

“It does.”

“Why.”

Another pause.

Longer this time.

Then:

“Because if it doesn’t, it changes things.”

That made the room feel tighter again.

Not physically.

Just… aware.

I folded my arms.

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