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“Communication is key,” Milo said, both for his and for Troy’s benefit. “Endeavoring toward more effective communication has been directly linked to relationship stability, with poor communication being a leading cause of separation. Which is allvery useful data, but one must put that information into practice to see its benefits. That is why I believe I will open a dialogue with Rowan tonight. And you should do the same with Raina and ask her out to dinner.

“Research points toward you being correct that dinner is the appropriate next stage after drinks. Possibly with a movie afterward or other activity. Then, on a third date, having another meal and another different activity would be best, with the potential for intercourse afterward.”

Troy managed to trip in place again. “I’m not thinking that far ahead! I need her to agree to date two first.”

“Which you can only accomplish by asking her,” Milo reminded him.

Troy sighed again. “You’re really good at this, you know? And frustratingly persuasive.”

Milo grinned. He knew Troy meant that as a compliment and took it as one. “The worst Raina can do is say no. At least then you’ll know for sure where she stands.”

Just like Milo was determined to find out the same with Rowan.

“Friday at last, huh?” Rowan said as they entered the apartment later. The ride home had mostly been filled with each of them telling the other about their day, but now that they were home, Milo didn’t plan on wasting a single moment. “I bet you’re glad for the weekend too after having a full work week like me.”

They removed their shoes, and Milo followed behind Rowan toward the living room.

Rowan paused briefly to gesture into the kitchen as they passed it. “I’ll be fine with leftovers tonight, so how about no cooking, no chores, just relaxation and—”

“Sex?”

Rowan tripped forward slightly on the start of the living room carpet—which at least made more sense than Troy tripping on nothing. The carpet also looked quite nice as the burned portion had indeed been replaced. Glancing back at Milo, Rowan proved to have some rosy color in his cheeks. “We can… do that. If you’re sure you—”

Milo launched forward and pressed two fingers to Rowan’s lips to silence him. “Please stop believing you always need to ask that. I have answered, and my answer hasn’t changed. Itwon’tchange. But you are still distant with me, worrying that what is between us is… wrong.”

As Rowan eased out of the tension that had seized his shoulders, Milo lowered his fingers so he could speak. “You’re really good at reading me, aren’t you?”

Milo smiled. Once, it had been his job to read Rowan’s wants and needs, the entire point of his existence. Now it was his privilege. “I like horror.”

Rowan blinked at him. “O… kay.”

“After I first readThe Tell-Tale Heart, which helped me understand my very first feeling, I started to read more Edgar Allen Poe. Then other horror authors too. Mostly at night while you’re asleep. I enjoy holding you during those hours, but internally, I also read or listen to music in my head.Youdo not like horror.”

Seeming to understand now what Milo was trying to convey, Rowan smiled in kind. “No, I don’t. Never have. If I’m going to consume fiction, I want it to be light and happy.”

“And I do enjoy some of that as well, like romance, but horror provides such a more intimate and visceral depiction of the range of human emotion. I get lost in those stories, rooting for the heroes to defeat the villains.

“I also enjoy cooking, as you know, and even doing the dishes afterward. I do not like doing the laundry and appreciate that you have taken on that chore.”

Rowan laughed at Milo’s increasingly rapid-fire barrage of likes and dislikes. “And I'm the opposite.”

“I know! You hate doing dishes but don't mind doing the laundry. I believe the word for that is… kismet!”

Rowan laughed again.

“I enjoy tinkering with other bots, like with Anabelle and Spot. That’s something we have in common, but one among many differences.”

“I get what you’re trying to say here, Milo, but—”

“There is nobut, only that I want you to know me better, as I know you.”

That seemed to catch Rowan off guard, but his warring amusement and hesitation shifted to something thoughtful. “What music have you been listening to since Monday?” he asked.

Milo beamed brightly at the encouragement. “Mostly yours, your saved albums. I especially like... oh! I will play it.”

Play “Shark Dad” by Dance Gavin Dance.

Playing…