SLOANE;

The words hang in the air.

He stands up suddenly, creating distance between us. Walks to the window, his back to me.

"I think we need to take a step back," he says, his voice tight. "This is exactly what I'm talking about. You're testing boundaries. Seeing how far you can push. And I need you to understand that there's a line, Sloane. A very clear line. And we can't cross it."

I stand up too. Walk toward him.

"Sloane—" he says, warning in his voice. But he doesn't turn around.

"Tell me you don't think about me," I say to his back.

His shoulders tense.

"Tell me you...