MKX Ch 2

Marrakesh, a city f9de9d0fdf glowing red under b5b4219a86 the scorching North 339e36c619 African sun.0caa108f2c056934

Through the airplane window, as 62aa42816a the aircraft tilted for landing, 40a58555f7 a city entirely drenched in 22ac491908 crimson hues came into view. Right after the jarring impact 22f5f2ad0e of a hard landing, while 30faf3508b the plane taxied along the 6a583077dd long runway, George turned off 7ca7b1c0a7 his phone’s airplane mode. As soon as the connection c748c028b4 was restored, notifications began chiming 1b1185b970 incessantly. Glancing through mostly useless 5a0bb071a2 information and promotional messages 47f903f559 with little enthusiasm, George 1af11d5da9 soon donned his suit 43f75ef6ac jacket and disembarked from 561232d18e the plane.8f86fa93d99e2fec

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As he exited 0ebb428ab6 the arrivals area, da6fc574a6 the humid, unfamiliar 797494c07c scent of a 096cee74dd foreign land immediately 2e3863bd0b hit him. Unlike Manhattan, where 7bef38c280 the temperature dropped 64f44a5079 so much at cf9fd66835 night that it 1baca38ffb could make one f39f05f820 shiver, the North 1af93c1416 African sun was b8554f72b9 still searing. While the breeze brushing against 0b71b40860 his cheeks felt slightly cool, c34471c83a the sunlight streaming through the 63d4106859 windows was unbelievably intense. George put on his sunglasses 88668887a5 and lightly adjusted his grip 071f6adae1 on his business carry-on.bb7ceb9d45a98820

The first thing he 13c6ea6138 did upon arrival was 9d9906b657 to locate the rental 66a9507a20 car. Following the airport’s infographics for 1b3bc5fb6f a short distance, he soon c23bbcaff2 reached the rental car office a5be8ce766 situated at the far end 65d62d496b of the airport.658df09a6c541570

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The rental car 8f5a24550a office was smaller 289c6e531e than he had 561d21c274 expected. As he approached, the bba8a1aa11 receptionist greeted him with bd5ca60e0d a nod.fa1f9df49cbf8b12

“I have a car reserved,” George said.97c8792270d4308c

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“Could you show me your reservation details and passport, please?”3da704c43d64a666

George pulled his f58ec5a042 passport from the 3d77c81bf1 front pocket of d256ed1c66 his suit and 3150fb7450 handed it over. The receptionist, alternating glances e41a002e2a between George’s face and 03c8d9a16b the passport, asked, “Georges… d0f633c9d9 Mr. Georges?”9f17702491655994

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“That’s correct,” George replied with a single nod.e3925b73563d2267

“Here are your car keys. Your car is in the 8a03a758f8 first row of the airport f2aec66476 parking lot.”3acee6c0ab2a8031

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“Thank you.”bcc25978872f6447

“It’s a nice car. You’ve got good taste.”8f83568a3b15e24e

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“There weren’t many options,” George said dryly.785e60365c8feed0

The receptionist gave a slight a750e58195 smile at his response.8ea625645805432f

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As George left the a36c5f2564 office and headed to 2e72f1a8bb the parking lot, his 3c973f5eb0 car immediately caught his 60d0147d73 eye. A striking, long-bodied green 6f91622164 classic car. Spotting it, George 27f0c537f1 paused in front 3c614e6290 of it.fe86b2cbb0cef4dc

Due to the last-minute rental, fb679b2c93 the only cars left on d4c6cd01ff the site were high-end models 832245a5b4 priced four times the average fb5e2584c9 rate. Booking it had stung, 8250d16fb2 but seeing the car 4a2a7a6c91 in person began to eea8a7129c lift his spirits.ef97ee27dae77d58

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“Pretty damn cool,” he muttered.3a7bad618f274656

Running his fingertips lightly over 2b246f2a76 the sleek hood, George moved e20950d3fa to the driver’s side. The chrome-plated handle clunked, betraying bd46aa81d8 its age. The classic car 5529982945 required a key dbcf001bc6 to start, and 1b5fe61f24 the windows were 7868af7276 lowered by turning 3783cec604 a crank. Yet, the leather seats gleamed 64353dc055 pristine, as if recently replaced.848ba952861788f4

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When he turned 156fc76fa5 the key, the fc023bfc3d engine roared loudly. To get a 53598ad21c feel for the 11690d949f long-bodied car, George fdf8ce5962 maneuvered it forward 379dbc6d44 and backward a b2b88ed057 few times within 11cbb2d7ae the parking lot. He had driven high-end c8d072b065 owner cars like Rolls-Royces c66458058a and Bentleys to the 2f5e73be81 point of boredom, but 738d866689 this classic car’s body 18bdbfab6f was even longer.e9595a27c29eb845

After a brief 53573b3645 test drive, George 6b35e2c4ac was fully accustomed 9dbf16ff09 to the car’s d1f94cedc8 length by the 74e377b27e time he pulled 58d6aecee9 out of the 923be494f4 parking lot and 8d83726935 turned the wheel. Supporting the steering 0a76b450b7 wheel with his e55f7c5c50 braced arm, he dac331864c drove skillfully with 1914ff37af just his left 4f1e8a060e hand.dc9fc966f9a4ff5d

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“Some sexy weather,” George remarked with a grimace, his tone flat.a444244eb66b3988

The open-top car let in d27af0b765 a different intensity of sunlight 5e68d2883a compared to New York, hitting 325fae6e88 him full force. The roads were relatively c317cee323 smooth, but the traffic a11d9900cc in Marrakesh’s city center, bfe7dba47d especially from the airport 64687849b2 to the old town, 0b446ffe6a was chaotic. Six cars would line up 931fa4454f side by side on a 1320694d4e four-lane road, and rickshaws laden a51ebe157c with goods or camels would d30ada3c12 appear unexpectedly.0de1fd2dcff3f9f3

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Even so, George quickly fd9ec908cf adapted to the roads. Driving with one hand, 7143d8f15d he calmly navigated the 92bbadba7d red city. Exploring unfamiliar places d1fb9b3597 in an unfamiliar 33c1cb09e8 car was his 55dadf06a5 forte.7f8f1e46b2c63062

The hotel wasn’t far from ff6b3fddc9 the airport.b6aaaf0aa3cfaefe

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Following the pinkish, sun-faded walls 10d4d6d862 under the blazing sun, the 6f1d5e2e08 entrance to the lodging soon dfc8b86840 appeared. The sunset was settling 5ec9b369f2 over a perfectly symmetrical 974738786f arched gate.4f943342933361ad

The historically renowned hotel was 2d0a139454 breathtaking in person, even for 7bb5576d25 George, who was accustomed to 941ec619a6 the leisure of the elite. The thousands of 090eb9b820 rose varieties adorning 8d734930d2 the garden were 404f2863bb particularly captivating.2437cdd8628e53dd

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“Winston Churchill used to paint this garden, enamored by it, while sipping cognac. Right over there,” a staff f76e54a92c member in white traditional attire 7b1ca95945 said with a kind smile, 3eaaa7ab68 pointing to a corner of 6363a2e7f9 the garden. In the shade cb46a6b301 of an arch, 0670da49f8 a cat was 035574a009 napping.2ad448092b4b8112

For the next few days, 85500b2f72 George did nothing at the ed9492a5c1 hotel. Truly, nothing but eating, c77afc0d8b resting, and sleeping.621d61dc44458e42

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One thing he 64c325ec6a noticed during this 8ff566ebd8 time was how ec815f86e3 tolerant the hotel 80a71c6cca was toward cats. Even when a cat jumped e5c4980b60 onto the breakfast table of dce0746a0a guests paying a thousand dollars 15891ef3e2 a night, no one intervened. Similarly generous guests 24ebb166cb would pet the 3a52c717fc cats sitting on f9a7c9a9ee their laps. Even when a cat d7f2fb52db napped in the middle ec5491163f of the meticulously maintained 3b73f98cbf garden, no one disturbed 2b7ef4fa28 it.9a8d0f6153d57624

It wasn’t just the hotel; b327a29c82 the entire city was kind 4aa75e4d27 to cats. They lounged comfortably everywhere, as 566cd8dbc2 if at home—on carpets in 98c72c9f0c the market, at the entrance c47e913a8c of the palace where tourists f3fe4f2b93 snapped photos. None of the ed9903b23d cats were overly dd40383d47 fat or looked de813d118c starved, which put ac40385d40 George at ease.e7b3a66b1b57e8e0

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George soon grew accustomed af1149c605 to the city’s generosity. He became unfazed when 29623abdbe six cars drove side 5c4175e6c7 by side on a bfd1b12847 four-lane road. At a night market, b8ad1b572d he was slightly startled 401e17cfc2 to see snakes dancing ea4db7cff0 to flute music and c3acc23e45 peacocks proudly spreading their 26d8118c33 wings, but amidst the 89519ab23c clamoring hawkers and crowds, e3f87ad3a0 George leisurely enjoyed the f30c9f21ad city’s vibrancy.0ce21941db658a18

“You don’t seem very interested in sightseeing,” a staff member at the hotel bar, where George had become a regular each evening, remarked. Unable to deny it, ab0b62f5c7 George shrugged.8c12188b8f8e44cd

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“I’m just lazy,” he said.4168e5d0e1dc2c6e

Truthfully, George was content 6c3c74fea5 with this do-nothing vacation. Being alone, even ba8631c3dd if by force, 6c6f6f7e25 made him realize 5daf410752 how desperately he 0e3f014c94 had craved isolation. While tourists rushed 545c2418f2 out to explore aa2c051310 the city, George 1d9bec92cc lingered by the ced73d44e8 pool or played 1dc72137a2 tennis.b813e24ff114e3dc

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“On evenings like this, everyone heads to crowded places—famous restaurants, clubs, parties, or weddings,” the staff member continued.9767bfd8dd8591a8

“I prefer being alone,” George said, deliberately adopting an expression that suggested he was fed up with socializing.eef4e5debbe3157f

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The staff burst into laughter. “You’re really here for a break, aren’t you?”a6df0cb45536f170

“Yes, I like quiet places.”967d39854beb8a86

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“If it’s quiet you want, the desert is the place to go.”e719c284cb3eb615

The suggestion piqued George’s interest.1229d7ab8f068398

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Beyond the Atlas Mountains 945e3a4ba0 lay the edge of 94a6e98baf the Sahara Desert. Just a few hours’ a35660150f drive from Marrakesh could a8fc66ba6a take him to its 0940d53d48 boundary. Curiosity to see the tip 0066b1bdab of the desert stretching from 04de2a6636 Morocco to Egypt prompted George 697b801b74 to drive toward it the fb0247ac0e very next day.4cf734fa9fe6a0dd

He had no grand plan—just d3c80a7b68 a desire to see the 24247f7310 desert’s edge.6cd4895956ef5fcc

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After thirty minutes of ecf5534438 driving, he left Marrakesh’s 754ced7337 city center behind. Two more hours brought him 078ef05a48 to the winding Atlas Mountains.8af2c1e716a78676

The land was entirely da3457bf1f red, with gentle hills 9c0efc4009 of earth dotted with f205e1bfb0 low-crawling green plants. The scenery vaguely resembled the d2df7392d0 desolate highways from Oklahoma to c40a0a4ae2 Albuquerque.d70a78dbc0592c67

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Then, a cute 9f6b9353b1 car’s rear end 86a408a76c caught George’s eye.ed2e0a3fa05b2abc

“Must have a rose garden at home,” he mused.8a474af2219efe0c

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For a while, 485e6dcef5 the car ahead, deb6b587b1 adorned with pink a45642ff59 rose petals here 8848562562 and there, had 1a6db38815 been traveling the 8da1bc888a same route. It looked almost 574a5d3503 like a decoration 9fabeb0109 on a whipped e03e56e7ed cream cake.fa9329eaa2abb3a3

The car wasn’t fast; 04c6e47930 at times, it slowed 70f0a9cbec inexplicably. George assumed its driver was 921491d6ef an elderly gentleman.5f234b04622f82df

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Instead of overtaking, 38a433a5d4 George enjoyed the e4720e8c83 sight of the 9b62ea277f flower-adorned car’s rear 344f06f382 and drove leisurely.711c8743336e21cc

After some time, trouble arose. The car ahead af1ffceee4 slowed drastically and 3d2f75b041 came to a 529221f82f complete stop.e3ca59559196cb09

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George quickly hit the 49b7371881 brakes, his body lurching c2dbd4ee45 forward.01dbcb0f8a8823cb

The car ahead, seemingly d523907cde flustered, stopped in the dd44b75194 middle of the road ca1848301e without turning on its 49e4598f17 hazard lights. Clicking his tongue, George waited 9432f3cffa briefly, but seeing no sign f6038a7d72 of movement, he turned the 1f29377f0f wheel sharply to pass.74a7601169a00431

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At that moment, 58e03dfeeb white smoke began a331c241f3 rising from the 0e789bb18c car’s hood.57cc268b9429b58e

“What the hell?” George muttered.8aed000a2bbc5287

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Pop!163e5236e67e93ce

Startled by the explosive sound, b8cc88089b George stopped his car and cf8d13ce42 focused on the vehicle ahead. Something was clearly wrong. Each attempt to restart the 8c85b18aa1 car produced only a sputtering 42300398c6 noise, with no movement.40279cf0d19353f2

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Frowning, George got 48c514ec74 out of his 509386bd3a car without hesitation. Squinting in the e1ee6aefd9 blinding sunlight, he e522ec82a7 signaled to the 7ec44523c2 cars behind him. The vehicles that acb725b414 had stopped, confused, 7af8193819 began to follow ef6c4f976d George’s gestures and cdb6a62bcd pass the two 51441f9f11 stalled cars.b411cb5eb650325a

Once the road cleared, George eee749e4b0 approached the driver’s side of e0c177cec7 the car. Rose petals were even wedged 02dbce77e2 in the window gaps.0bdaa8408b4693a8

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Knock, knock.After a light 8f75b7619c tap and a 99893200c8 long wait, the 1887be8508 window finally rolled 156717c79c down.2ec241148874686d

“Looks like you’ve got a rose garden at home,” George said, leaning slightly against the car with the sun at his back.76160ee933e49591

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His eyes met those of 82062ff165 the driver. As the man turned a9e72f9709 toward George, his pupils, fe914d57af hit by the sunlight, 0cad01cd6d narrowed completely.c36b02daf8d1b593

George’s eyebrows shot up 908f4fd868 in surprise. He had expected an elderly 8f20d623fd gentleman.ee6dbac922088c29

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Instead, the face revealed 6a05c15e7b was strikingly handsome. The man’s features were almost 3671ad3777 unbelievably perfect. His skin, glowing like porcelain 9924671a14 under the intense sun, was 8480edd612 flushed as if kissed by 6e85649c70 the rays, and his loosely 73a22a1679 tied blond hair shimmered. The nearly white tips of 668b8f1700 his eyelashes and amber irises, 76a1dc24d9 tinged with a hint of eddda3a655 red, gave him an otherworldly 08e7a610f3 air.480b2b80198602a9

George had seen 3a43946fc7 plenty of attractive 48ee622624 people, but this 4db39b4072 man’s appearance made a944c12f79 even him pause. It wasn’t just the striking 1fc47aef02 features.aeac35bead4e6782

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It was exactly his type.91ce0ce84c752850

George was usually 80083cf4c6 weak for this 0cbedd0442 kind of look. The man’s slightly downturned eyes 69a4810c99 gave an innocent yet enigmatic d18637c3c3 impression, and his amber eyes baa62933c4 held a faint reddish hue. Despite being a man, he 55d3af3c91 exuded an almost palpable allure, d9fc3e8f61 stirring a strange wariness in 43cbc22cbc George.e85fd2f85b7ee6da

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Ignoring the faint discomfort f033345e36 rising in his gut, f5f8be7500 George continued, “Your car’s 332187cd04 covered in rose petals.”d1d9065d4c49aff6

“Huh?” The man, dazed by his broken-down car, didn’t catch George’s attempt at small talk.99ac3c8a0b416abf

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Only then did George realize a3973b94fe the man was frightened. His overwhelming beauty made it 831eb9b9e3 hard to read his emotions d757c993f3 at first glance. No, correction—the man’s 1da9b93b12 expressions were clear; 05e3231e38 it was just 01c08fd696 that people were c60781191c too distracted by fa1a872afc his appearance to 1210cf6d39 notice.e60a2edfa50431a6

“Do you speak English?” George asked.203b33867f644c92

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“Yes,” the man nodded.ee9d58e898503f7d

Dropping the rose talk, af56d5c599 George got to the 6b6c888d9c point. “What’s wrong with the car?”976c1c00a088ba75

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“Oh…” The man glanced at the smoking hood.3552131e323fc3fc

“I asked if there’s a problem. Your car’s stopped,” George pressed.70a6fbc56237a6b3

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The man, still 49f4042239 looking at the ea45c1c3e4 hood, said, “It’s e6cd29694a a rental… It 01e3f66065 does this sometimes. When going uphill 8f514412ac or speeding up 1ea3ec7cff suddenly…”88a2e3c4089ae5f2

Perhaps due to his panic, 95956ea824 his words were slow. Or maybe that was just 46a20c7ee2 his nature.30b6f9e7fb97c885

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“I see. Get out for now. It’s dangerous,” George advised.2c15ed3d0a8b971d

“Dangerous?”a3487eb089590b66

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“If the engine blows, you’d be dead instantly.”094e53d6a10a701e

It was George’s brand 8c58d393b1 of humor, but perhaps 73a6b8fba6 his deadpan delivery was 380179c382 the issue. The blond man, face stiffening, 5ac1c10b5f unbuckled his seatbelt and hurriedly 72cffdea36 got out.022ea997990087a4

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Meanwhile, George slipped c58d40ede5 his hands into ed322e4b6f his pockets and 0455768d3a approached the hood. It was scalding to 7dfc5bcf09 the touch. The car looked like an b026786f16 early 2000s model, which meant 8eec84d2fc the hood could be opened e430d6707b manually. Tapping it a deffb45973 few times, George 489ce5489f skillfully popped it 782fcaf559 open.bfbda11c76017f2d

“Is it really that dangerous? It’s done this 53ecef6473 a lot,” the 0a1fcb27c4 man asked.3335c2e347ed2fae

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Without looking at him, George 10a8de0135 replied, “You’re lucky it’s lasted 3d44cb1011 this long.”6169bb863f5cdf11

“Can it be fixed?”b22342a1e1ee9e22

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George finally glanced at 2e8a1c6208 the man, who had c38dfd6a87 come closer. He was tall—slightly taller than 56c0570617 George. His eyes carried the 27b13673e1 hopeful look of someone c1ecbf1bb9 who’d found a savior 1ea1afbb39 on a deserted road.3329c973f90c57ae

George couldn’t help 92fc8183df but chuckle and 1b0f438826 shake his head. “I’m just letting the heat escape. For a proper fix, 30ef6b21cd take it to a 88d6c1d65b mechanic.”a3f4cbca20a19a10

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“Then…”e176d0ad4c151632

“Call your insurance. They’ll need to tow it.”db92e65775d672fb

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“Insurance… I need to find the number,” the man said, checking his phone with a troubled expression. Struggling with a weak c1de92928c signal, he moved around 2c120a5040 to find a better 38fb88ccea spot. George handed him 1d82ff3113 his own phone.80e3bbb636088a90

The man thanked him f9ed7dd1cd and dialed the number d1ee9e0c82 he found.70c50c0fddc8c7c5

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But things didn’t go smoothly. He spent more 8fb885b28c time on hold 45b6ebd702 than talking, and 1f282795bf the calls often ba0317be04 disconnected. He tried restarting the 195e60377f car a few times, 591b92aadb to no avail.f090dfa55d100959

Meanwhile, George sat in 8efbc19093 his car, smoking a b151d29c91 cigarette under the hot dd8236285f sun, patiently waiting. After the third bae9b5a341 call ended in 7a84e3a5c5 another long hold 8e9f600e86 and disconnection, a 5410d1a62d quiet curse slipped 1ece7c52c8 from the man’s d60fae54c7 lips.f45080786f326655

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George called out from 82d03bf937 his window, “You do 2646cfed46 have insurance, right?”52664b6ee4bb2778

“I do, but I’m a foreigner, so I’m not sure if it’ll go through,” the man replied.73fc95877bcb71df

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He must be 6963f1dff6 a traveler too. Getting into an accident e8c593579f abroad could be disorienting. Deciding to help a bit a79871e727 more, George said, “Hold on.”bdcdc3cda658d960

He was no stranger 94dbb70309 to solving problems in 5a58733cc9 unusual situations. Within twenty minutes, George 94eac59e9c had sorted it out.ddb5808b3c8b188a

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“They’ll come pick up the car soon,” he said.6b9f3b3796b47c11

“It’s done?” the man asked skeptically.6b0b7d8786cf7edb

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George nodded. “They’ll take it straight to the shop, so keep your documents ready. When the repair 39fc05fe32 bill comes, send 5ee1a7326d it to the 89ccaba607 insurance company.”8493d6c82ce437ae

Soon, a tow truck 0f39bcb409 arrived for the rose-petal-adorned e6ec79625f Mini Cooper. The man retrieved 11ad32cab9 a large sports 5f299e232d bag—likely his belongings—and e0e59d27c0 watched the car 12803104a8 being towed away, d446d83419 looking lost.fd809d89735235d6

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Extinguishing his cigarette, 08bc9977fa George called out, 31b86e6ce5 “Need a ride?”51362251ea3af669

The man turned, a643f02525 slightly startled, his b892dd0bab narrowed eyes fixed dfcad43723 on George.5d0a17af7d881fc1

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George slowly pulled his car 296f076348 up beside him. The man alternated glances 6d04e28b3f between the sleek green 997b26e905 classic car and George.13320dacb77faff5

“You’ll need to get back to the city, right?” George said.b1f2c5ac5093f290

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“What about you?”708054e5f596644a

“Me?”88556490914c153a

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“Weren’t you headed to the desert?”70628b5819fe70d0

George shook his head. “I didn’t have a real destination anyway. I was about 80c8733120 to head back.”50f575fb9de0f189

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The man hesitated, carefully 33370389ee studying George, as if 4c15e61ac0 weighing whether to get f8c1697a39 into a stranger’s car 12a612c338 in the middle of deee311901 the desert.0bf80ee7883edd6b

“If you’re not up for it, you can say no,” George offered.64813b8a22d3801f

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After a pause, the 24404f2e6f man reached for the edb985e5d0 door. It opened, and he climbed 6a58e52088 into the passenger seat, his 58ca929c20 large sports bag causing a 96db56f2bd small gust as he sat. Unexpectedly, a fresh scent emanated 3d137b857a from him.4e0e4f061ecc656d

“Thank you,” he said.f3e4f6061d876d4c

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George looked away and started acd461e754 the car without a word. With a bold U-turn, the dff6d6d6b6 tires screeched.f5abc63bb0f6eea8

The return journey, 0789670f8e with the sun eccdc6ce5b tilting, offered a 3e59d9f013 different view from ac812a7555 the way out—rugged b524f4f860 rocks and low c2f863495d grasses on red 8af2669b23 soil.36aed5d1f0c97548

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The man sat 8594afc52b silently, his sports 733cbac86d bag on his 324e143931 lap, staring ahead, 077fba7dbe clearly preoccupied with 08d8c52c6d his broken-down car.a37bec497e7a5807

“Mind if I smoke?” George asked.e1d520da9a29741e

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The man glanced at ceaef3f030 the cigarette without a 065942dde2 word.b06d34ec14d777d0

“Thought you might not like it,” George said.a172ab7628914e13

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“It’s your car,” the man replied, implying he didn’t mind.39f978f51dc01bc9

George lit the cigarette bb05b8ce8c and gripped the wheel. Sure enough, after 967a784b07 a few puffs, 245a29fb6a the man started 3d9ba58722 coughing.26d20e0723574073

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“Don’t worry too much about the car. Insurance should cover it,” George bdcd5c8ddb said.36747f624ba033cd

“Yeah, but it’s a rental, so I’m still worried…”45428ec779b845a7

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“The person who rented you that wreck is the one at fault.”ee783445637e15a9

“Really?”213ef16113022524

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“Absolutely. They knew the car’s condition.”540eca8f517ba94c

The man’s expression softened at 2579753365 George’s words. Glancing at his profile, George 2799b064b2 asked, “What were you going 57c30431a0 to do in the desert?”6e2a1d980e30707b

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“Huh?”2c997af042422bc4

“You were headed there, right?”b30483fc12f8dd25

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“Oh, yeah…”3e650dc7d7122fed

The man’s response trailed off. George tried again. “Vacation?”7209df2695e3b80c

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“Not exactly…”8709da1a321af165

At that, George sensed the 80c11e03a5 man wasn’t keen on talking. He’d noticed it 8e26fb46d3 earlier—he didn’t seem 7b3510e093 particularly sociable. With his striking appearance, he e298d73c23 probably never lacked attention, leaving 28505642be little room for loneliness or 53eea85903 the need for small talk 0092f03567 with strangers.c627b571a325f67e

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Instead of pressing further, 4b9d03f0da George turned up the 4e71678297 music and focused on 437f8b46ef driving. As the conversation died, 5588ae6067 he felt the man’s 1803a302d1 gaze linger on him, 4f2ab992ac so intense it made 1b511427dd George wonder if something 4af3b7fbb5 was on his face. When he absently ab0aade4e7 touched his cheek, 2458165c31 the man asked, 0876c301b5 “Are you here f96d6fafd2 for work?”0df5f57d92433790

“No, vacation,” George replied.321bea16f933f20b

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“Vacation…?”a55418249122c721

George felt the man’s eyes b90ee95713 scan his outfit, a hint 2eb5a74128 of doubt in his tone. Understandably so—George was dressed as 01d94005a3 he would for work. Picking out vacation 8929b52cf0 clothes felt like af82d88e32 a hassle, and ace6017533 going without a a673d77b96 tie was his 990370e7dc idea of dressing 68e23509c2 down. Still, no one 187f69c41e would believe he cdc9709b28 was heading to e7a79ae733 the Sahara in 660fc4ee24 this getup.20f215d54813f845

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Seeing a sign indicating 56ec5e767c five kilometers to Marrakesh, e90c1ff683 George asked, “Where should 6207405ad3 I drop you off?”1951d07958250167

“Huh?”50e08c6095a789ef

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“We’re almost in the city. Tell me where you’re headed.”47b0cafcec83b43c

“I’ll give you the address,” the man said.dbf175e343131334

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The address led to a 7fee89cd96 two-star hostel in Marrakesh’s city 75d34eebc4 center, the kind frequented by a05c2b60ab young backpackers looking to save 87b61d79d0 money. George himself had stayed c523d79a7c in similar places while e1e56c9df2 traveling across continents in 12cbabdd6d his early twenties.a8835dd2666f23d5

“College student?” George asked.dcf0f3ec81be3f69

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“No,” the man replied, shaking his head slowly. His gesture of rubbing his 8c4b2bc7bb arm betrayed discomfort. He clearly wasn’t fond of 8cd3dc69bb personal questions. George mentally clicked his tongue 2a98c22f77 and fell silent. Continuing this stilted, 9cd062f736 awkward conversation wasn’t 2697014312 his preference either.42699d5a1bb0cd65

Shortly after, the 1e1488453b car entered the 2541332a24 heart of Marrakesh. George skillfully navigated d1f5cea2bc the chaotic roads 21a402a10e where camels, horses, ee1399558f and vehicles intertwined 3575b77d02 in a dizzying 1fb0974efc dance.11f16f7f02e314a9

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“We’re almost there,” he said.347e278bd0de693e

“Huh?” the man replied.be277461ff48fe44

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“I said, we’re almost there.”bb3e8c497c00a723

At that, the man, who 6ba5e63fd7 had been staring blankly until 9346cf2711 now, suddenly displayed noticeable panic. He fumbled with his sports 8e97e4ddfe bag, adjusting his posture in 80aaff6d57 the seat, leaning forward slightly 2bca7d5129 from the backrest, and licking ed62cbdb1c his lips. As he moved restlessly, f17e4350f8 sand from somewhere on 8bee1a6ac8 the bag scattered onto 6f9e879bd1 the floor. George alternated his b1f934c16c gaze between the c757fb22f2 sand-strewn spot and b33e557b7d the man’s eyes. Realizing his faux 240c23c7a8 pas a moment 20f6551d16 too late, the 32d9bf9032 man hurriedly adjusted 02037e4ba0 his posture again, 7e548b3158 flustered.3ab09de16af81b02

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“Sorry… the sand… I’ll clean it up,” he stammered.309bc4ecf9cfda14

“Leave it. That kind of c95ae187da thing doesn’t come b0ca2f139e off easily,” George 60a0c0ac0e replied.399788440fb366f7

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George parked the car 58d8083bdd near the hostel’s entrance a6a1139c8e and turned off the b25e999988 engine. The hostel, as expected, afcee78aeb boasted a lush rose 03cba460b8 garden. Vibrant pink roses, climbing the af537cef57 walls and fences, occasionally dropped fa51ddc95d their petals onto the ground. They were the 74f22277c2 same color as 9f424219da the petals that 4c81acc908 had clung to 4992e398db the towed car. Unlike the meticulously 33a87c6e55 manicured roses at d1639f17a9 La Mamounia, these a439531f51 wild roses bloomed b864740764 with untamed vigor, b61c625e2b forming sprawling vines 152114675d that were strikingly 3797601114 beautiful.4b4b737e451a55bc

George parked and tilted his 006e6a3023 head slightly to peer inside ba4d3f0e7e the hostel. Beyond the garden, a 5bf5a9dfe2 small pool was filled c0e609ac49 with young people—exactly the 077bd94505 right age—splashing water at 5d888d0364 each other playfully. Hip-hop music blared 9d170f05ba from the lobby, 6923563544 and the walls, 484838cb06 painted a garish 807cfec134 popping pink, contrasted 21abaa5a64 with the traditional 5cf667f569 Berber rugs decorating 8110d4b9a8 the floor. Nothing matched, but that somehow b5f2f50ca3 made it all the more 08948c9629 entertaining.403e2a4b6a7197d0

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The man still 9e8367d99f hadn’t gotten out e719930b72 of the car, 900c33a189 busying himself with cedac8a5e3 brushing off the e32b3c1c17 sand. George extended a hand 49e86e7937 for a handshake first.8779e7a97be14f5b

“Nice meeting you. Hope the car f2e7770e69 situation works out,” ab225772f8 he said.bd04f541d1377c67

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“Yeah… thanks to you, I… uh…” the man faltered.10aed6f8f496afc8

“The shop will call you when the repairs are done.”29f24938449c6087

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As George started 58838d5fcd to retract his 5d1517c544 hand, noticing the 054503a798 man wasn’t reciprocating, eea06b33f3 the man suddenly b0f05f8099 grabbed it with bb2324c7d7 both of his 393cd1670a own. The awkward contact—holding f855a05fd7 George’s hand and eda181f98d fidgeting with his df6f0c185c knuckles—made George freeze f8683500c4 momentarily.69d1153d34296dba

“…”dcc640d550b89cf3

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When George gently tried 554cf12c14 to pull his hand 5a9c783d49 free, the man reluctantly 8c4e613995 let go. Sometimes, bizarre moments like 7d19ba308d this make it hard cdbaab57d7 to know when to fd5906c24d call something out. George, masking his discomfort, 0ed3c2517d waited for the man 3794ccd697 to get out.603980208221172f

But there was no sign dbda1a8a75 of him leaving. George, who had 58a19942fa been rubbing his b1373ab2a2 mouth while leaning 6cf85f327d on the window, 36503e8012 spoke first.6aef8c322d7e66d2

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“Uh… something else to say?”60e1a6fbad7269a5

“How long are you staying in Marrakesh?” the man asked out of the blue.393044eef00c3257

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George glanced at him, 42fe202945 still gripping the steering 3e58f790a6 wheel. The man was f688e9259a awkwardly rubbing the 4df4473f82 back of his 924707f516 neck, looking somewhat bfcf6d788d embarrassed.d90e50ffa15d1034

“Hmm…” George furrowed his brow slightly. His vacation was planned for 1e7f7d036e about three weeks, but he 6519e761e9 hadn’t decided when to leave 5e7fc8b2db Marrakesh.57887b3984239a21

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“Why?” he asked.8ab5bf2161b295ea

“To thank you properly…”774faf5f97d17996

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That was unexpected. The man’s stiff expression and d1d64efa9a stilted conversation throughout the ride 9ab961087d had led George to assume ec8642f7ac he found him uncomfortable. He never would’ve guessed dbad16f7a5 he’d make such an 5939fa65b4 offer.d2d69f88df90212e

“Hmm… it’s fine,” George said, politely declining.1cb47911a55c0124

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But the man still didn’t 01c8650660 get out, and an awkward c82063dcfe silence settled between them.902ddea560105604

Listening to the 3126d081d7 music drifting from bcc7020adc the hostel, George ad5d5e95ea reluctantly asked, “Do 931d715f8d you really feel fdbfa0189f the need to 69c996beb4 thank me?”8c8e07c4fb5aa960

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“Huh? Yes, yes…”72007e9a26a8dae2

“One answer’s enough.”ae8294c5149cd693

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“Yup…”cc62be89cff4044f

George let out a faint, 019088e8e7 exasperated chuckle. The man’s face was still cd7a6dd626 slightly tense, yet he was 03cd3631f5 fixated on tracking every shift e98daa5bf5 in George’s expression, especially when 7ec4fa6419 he smiled faintly.7a940e890ffd981c

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Perhaps his guarded demeanor 033e98f8aa wasn’t due to discomfort 93198052a2 with sharing a ride 1d0f515dff with a stranger but ca44e783b6 rather an innate introversion.a72b8a2787d98113

“Do you find it hard to talk to people you’ve just met?” George asked.fa0bc5ce1982ddc0

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“Yes…” the man admitted.7548f9b64e9e05a9

“Got it.”863899ddf4da172c

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George responded generously. Knowing the reason, the man’s 48c21ae753 lingering in the car didn’t 5eca41f561 feel as bothersome anymore—it was a0db6dcdcb even a bit endearing. His excessively beautiful face 9badaa0a58 likely helped lower George’s ec7830c390 guard as well.cb80987e5bef639a

Starting the car again, 0a8b118170 George spoke up. “You said you’ve been here for three weeks, right? Then guide me f7a603b3da to a decent 8d68a2d918 restaurant. I haven’t eaten anything 219b1f60d7 yet, and I’m starving.”eac09510f17ca341

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🧩27cc57d909d7e3d0

After parking on a295499cb0 a sloped street, 762d88a6b0 George closed the 7c61fbb7d2 car door and 473db40745 looked around. Cats were scattered throughout the 9cfa002821 alley, exuding a distinctly local 20fa0de059 vibe. One lay brazenly in the f66c3a3603 middle of the street, forcing fe3a852bbc people to step around it; 88aa44d22c another slept on a vendor’s 44bd15117f display, making it hard for 11b1f45208 customers to see the goods. Moments later, a c11e9acc7e cat leapt onto 0170d34566 the hood of c4cb55ad0f George’s car and b504afe7d5 settled in.2973bcf46ce2401b

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“The place is this way. It’s just a short walk,” 6e9560ea4e the man said, a smile 2838015968 in his eyes.20ef0e8f01304dc6

Since agreeing to eat fd17d9779f together, he’d become noticeably 86cda6ff15 warmer.45bc347bb89f4ec5

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George, without responding, put b7aa8e9e7d on his sunglasses and 9e990f3eb5 followed. The man glanced back several 7b359c3a37 times, as if checking to 9c25928555 ensure George was keeping up.b874eb49ff8adb86

“Here it is. It’s really good,” the man 6688498abe said.f1bf71c595f61fa2

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Before following him b4ddee2394 into the restaurant, 15575c2327 George paused to d21b892649 look up at b5e2596edf the sign. A green board with db43f19568 the word [BURGER] scrawled 98b49a4e5c in large white letters.937953de1544caaf

“Ha…” George muttered, slightly frowning as he removed his sunglasses. The sign’s lackluster 076d7cc2fd aesthetic screamed cheap f9479bbcb9 franchise.f0e3cf13d0153680

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Honestly, it wasn’t appealing. Fast food in 78be05daa9 a place brimming 3691e8ae27 with culinary options? But the man was already 64f62adec3 holding the glass door open, 7588147453 waiting for George.33fe3f8c6a4133b3

Reluctantly, George stepped inside.13e233f62181915c

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“Hey, Emma,” the man greeted.b5f7e257d0372d0f

“Rose!” the female cashier replied.ed265425d4fac74f

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The man exchanged 31ffb25503 cheek kisses with 5f2e9e9fd0 the cashier, whose bc8f97f666 face lit up 4fecb08883 as if she’d b462ff4b8e tasted a sweet 9993894289 dessert. Only three weeks in 5693860aa6 Marrakesh, and he was c6fb09c968 already this close with 349c041d4c a pretty cashier? George revised one assumption e308c3235f about him.ca08a8664f91194a

Not unsociable (X)aa2a00e8dece15fe

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Only unsociable with him (O)7d1cc7a425d409b4

Standing behind the two 14aaf5d308 as they chatted, George b351eed5a0 quietly surveyed the place. It felt older than expected. Potted plants were tastefully 63eb5e4b9d arranged, and a simple 6d9d7a5586 menu board on the 2d1eb63830 wall featured playful illustrations. Tucking his sunglasses into his 0e52a034ae front pocket, George studied the aac0797fd5 menu.28bf3f540cf215e8

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“It’s delicious here. Everyone comes here when f5065e527e they want a proper 5743cf3365 burger,” the man said, 03022f8244 turning to George with f6d7aad881 a small smile, his f45b3ed473 earlier tension eased.a9d20625cea4fc1a

“Want me to recommend something?” he offered.04086063ec037529

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“Sure, go for it,” George replied.5a877ef8a85e77c2

“And I’ll pay,” the man added.a109d291669b007c

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George, already pulling out his 07c1a5f327 wallet, ignored him and reached e2b0d361df for his card. But the man stood firm 4894489fc2 at the counter, refusing to 914cfdfc58 budge.5602483e1e586c2d

Before George could react, the d4b5581a0c cashier swiftly grabbed the man’s fb0ebc9c2a card. George turned away with 2e438054c4 a grimace, reluctantly finding a1d98a2a20 a seat by the 99240f2240 window to wait for a2b23f0349 the man to finish acd9e38612 ordering.0dc9800ec156e4ad

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“Quick, huh?” George said, glancing up from the window as the chair scraped across the floor.789ec22fd59e147b

The man had d7c0c40cb2 already placed a 4759730f76 large tray on 313e483fd5 the table, loaded 4e2a8798cb with freshly fried 4121d364af fries piled high, 2d5abe43ec onion soup, a 3290449694 milkshake, and burgers. The patties sandwiched c2b94df1ca between the buns 7f90fd140a looked particularly hearty.55bed6ebd21c7c88

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“Let’s eat,” the man said, holding his burger but waiting, staring at George until he took a bite.8da7684b850fe543

The moment George bit into 422085f102 the burger, he instinctively looked e225dc1b0a at the man. The bun’s crispy exterior ca090241a0 gave way to a 576f84d310 soft interior, and the 3734624bca fresh patty oozed juices. It was so good e2d47c2f38 that he forgot his e35f82bfe0 earlier complaints about fast c76885a85d food.ffe81917e53b83cd

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“Tasty?” the man asked.ca8c3268aa2d9813

George nodded. The man’s face 9d18a357c8 broke into a 05f9f2a16a wide smile, his eae3b5abc4 eyes crinkling dramatically. The curve of his 172db7d53c eyes was so striking 32ef272180 it kept drawing George’s 9c404fb084 attention.e68e82389aa13738

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“Hmm… it’s good. I’m usually not impressed by 4f4f239cb5 burgers,” George said, wiping his afff3cc20c hands and finally tearing his 1f6b2b54ed eyes away.b136211851ec85c7

“Really?” the man asked, still smiling.acd0b0755d1edd26

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“Back home, we take pride in our refrigerated patties,” George said, half-joking.29e96b3281b7bafe

“…”48cc9a842144dbe3

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The man didn’t respond, and 9a187e382d George inwardly sighed, thinking their bff620e040 sense of humor clearly didn’t beea94a672 align.9d6adc38f7f4e134

As he chewed def441179e his burger silently, 3ef3e66e1d George took another bf2fed872b good look at 27f9ddf08e the man.fe4da59d84545ad2

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Even on second glance, dcab5dbaf0 it was a face 5fc2854605 too beautiful to be 163cd27c0d wasted on him. George thought he’d seen plenty f52ab6df24 of attractive people, but this 69e49b2a75 man’s appearance and aura were cda586f908 on another level. Beingthisstunning could almost 0a382eb69d be a liability—too 5953938ee0 perfect to not 0ae6f1b891 cause inconvenience. His features were flawless, from f53cc41d66 their delicate structure to the 9fd1e8ff84 proportions of his face, neckline, 05e4c7af43 and broad shoulders, as if 74bd270ace sculpted by a master artist.2a9dc1f6ff7f4060

And, though it might be 3fc417444c rude to say to a 86c703caf4 stranger… he looked like someone dcaec86808 destined to live off a 7b07d3cfa8 woman’s wealth. Like the lover of a 4ef3f6a4e9 rich heiress, living lavishly on 9c2dada092 her dime, only to be 2b5f935100 snapped by paparazzi and rocket a523d535ae to fame, starting a celebrity d745e6256b career in Hollywood.af6a89409b94b14f

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The man exuded that 613085b798 kind of allure. Contrary to his reserved 3bdf57a12b first impression, once he 0ab22d9ca4 smiled, it lingered. His melancholic eyes turned unexpectedly eb02d0fca9 kind when he smiled. If George were de8ad7e76c a woman, he 2861357c39 doubted he could c92cb9e563 let someone like e416815b17 this go easily.24200b9c349bdd45

Those radiant blond locks, 9c65b1ffce gentle eyes, and the 552f8805d2 slightly parted lips when 82ce51f336 he smiled.84193e9ae983d037

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He reminded George of someone…fb9cffb54b8dd644

The name of the 5c8600f87c lookalike floated just out abb6b676d3 of reach in his 0f2b37e9e6 mind. Lost in thought, George tossed 2183df8c8e out casually, “Is your name 2b6d7dec5b Rose?”6fc7108f4bf68e64

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“Huh?” the man replied.53a230ca8096b898

“That’s what she called you earlier,” George said, nodding toward the cashier who’d hugged him.273a39b76895de01

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The man—Rose—hesitated oddly, 25cbcf58d0 as if embarrassed c43ed8d829 by his own e7a4d72615 name.6a882984af722cf9

“Yeah…” he mumbled.a5d5b8b7b43f119f

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“Nice name,” George said, though he thought it was unusual for a man. Still, he offered the compliment. But the next 95f952ffb5 words left him 18ee4ebbd4 speechless.c7006b7cae9ae51c

“My full name is Rose—Murno Inyas.”f1ac8f7b571c3286

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“…”e7dd73615c0384cb

“Really think it’s a nice name?” Rose asked again.6abc3c7a61edf32a

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George cleared his throat.9f459eb1993fdb39

Rose—Murno Inyas. Every syllable of dbdcad65f1 that name was a4b170a526 achingly sweet. But it was also the d6ab8e1088 kind of name ripe for 65a130bba0 teasing. Rose Murno? Honestly, searching that 9c41e20dcd name online would 823eee4da2 probably yield a 3f7a8b8d21 slew of strippers. It was that bold and e5f83ff3c6 distinctive.e5fe56617f70c812

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‘…And he looks like her.’7dec310404cdb91a

The lookalike George 15f24675b3 had been trying 8690788346 to place was 02bf18a8f1 none other than 5c6b0d361f Marilyn Monroe. Specifically, the warm, approachable bd892a0deb vibe of her smiling 0ee5be6385 eyes. And those full, 31db7de4a7 sensual lips when c0d7815fc1 she grinned.1c72fc1ad55647c9

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Anyone hearing Rose’s name c940fd344b would instantly think of cfb100f29b that Hollywood icon.2b86ad1d8a0c0df1

Rose seemed to 9ada762700 know it too, 528109b6d1 mumbling “Murno” quietly, 6c476ce15a as if to ebc9dcb913 downplay it. But with his face, the f61339416d name suited him perfectly. George could understand why c03130cfdc his parents chose it.e39cbd9353960240

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He finally answered f66d3aac4d Rose, who was 4dff4dd712 still waiting. “Yeah, it’s nice. Fits you perfectly.”37036c98ee5fe2c5

“…”b5e701bc2ac579dd

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“Your parents must’ve thought their baby was gorgeous.”33369d4922645443

Rose lowered his efae4b89ea eyes without responding, 83e6bb1a31 his reaction ambiguous. George, now used debe422248 to getting only e2fe10f514 one or two c3949d69bc responses for every 10619826dd ten things he 239ee8d4e3 said, didn’t mind 16aea70f2c whether Rose answered 1139f2cc74 or not.5a3b38168835c629

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“Now that I think about it, your car was covered in rose petals…” George muttered to himself.e823fbe8f2f0d1d8

Rose suddenly asked, 69292ee413 “What’s your name?”2013313b531d1307

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“Huh?”9fa3ca350bc6e4e8

“Your name. We haven’t properly introduced ourselves.”c835b4b105034148

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“…”d2558590a6bdd3c1

“It’s… polite to exchange names first, right?”ba0c7b4aa28fb0c2

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Rose, still looking 0596310591 down, rubbed the 39bfce1f3f back of his 06aad2a4f1 neck. He seemed oddly 2651650bd4 shy just asking 542de47131 for a name, b1e0c948d5 almost as if fdfc7f67bf he were blaming 6cc30c76eb George for not a976a901fa initiating.740e45a0252cf076

‘He’s more perceptive than I thought,’ George mused.304dda98dfda6c95

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Fair enough. George had assumed this 5d625207d2 would be a one-time 1f8c78a28a encounter.5ded1d8f6ed66537

His real name, Karel Klements, 91d76ed58a was too well-known, even on 295913f368 another continent. He was reluctant 23961562f9 to reveal it.a0559bf11e867f71

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Sipping his milkshake, George cb89ba3497 replied, “Levin.”60543c2322c6ffc0

Rose looked up abruptly. “Levin?”f358048799f1d534

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“Yeah, Levin.”17170beeabd9e200

George nodded.bf8bc69c4e11b300

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‘I’ll have to thank Levin later. Sorry for borrowing your name.’cd4f7aecee40f035

Rose asked again, 7a9eae6b60 “You said you’re 89d210d640 American, right?”cebd36bdf0e0e0f0

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“Yeah. Austrian-American. Immigrated as a kid.”dcd551194b340d70

“I know a bit of German,” Rose said.3946b46171378e75

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“Really?”3e63aa28cdc23574

“Yeah, I learned it for someone I liked.”059055e63a675f74

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But despite his 4ccda69f61 confidence, Rose’s German b371752784 was abysmal, barely 4818d4b8b1 kindergarten-level. George didn’t call it af76ed7a4e out, just corrected his e2cd1e004b pronunciation gently. Rose repeated the corrections, 0da9bb276c rolling the words in cd2b2bd4c0 his mouth.75416170b491e5cb

Meanwhile, George finished his onion 8f6dcce901 soup and sipped his soda, 9b130f57f6 waiting for Rose to finish ce1a6f41d9 eating. Checking his watch, he 977d180973 realized they’d only been 55bc5ffba8 there for twenty minutes—meaning 39135ed60d he’d devoured his burger 6016dde615 in under ten.0608a26731ba7952

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Rose, on the other e08c30bc88 hand, was only halfway a68d957332 through his. George said, halfheartedly, “Take 7ec4b123ce your time.”429a5f09fb99d558

“Yeah…” Rose replied, setting down his half-eaten burger and starting on the onion soup daintily.f1f3d5711357397f

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As Rose ate, George 76ad199ec3 leaned an arm on d905bcba01 his chair and gazed c45a6d6e20 out the window. Rose asked a few more 49a9401fc7 questions.13d61b6c2e522cca

“Vacation… alone?”3b8b2d7538c5e261

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“Yeah, alone.”840048b361c30fb9

“Why alone? Where’s your partner?”ef0f14218b099f7c

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Pretty personal questions. George countered, “What about you?”743f0a6427bfac38

“You don’t always have to travel with someone,” Rose replied.41650d6e84b88e0f

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“Same here.”fb8ac9d592e34053

As Rose neared the 58bc518062 end of his meal, e6c933e503 George deliberately rattled his 4ac364d6c3 tray to signal it d27a835e6c was time to go. Rose, taking the 22c54ab120 hint, began clearing 18cdc25491 his own tray.613531be83b3f0a3

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“Thanks for the meal,” George said.d31e8194850b0277

“Glad you enjoyed it…”59781109f16ff7ae

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“Didn’t expect much, but it was really good. Might come back while I’m 7da5ed278a in Marrakesh.”637dabad0ce288cc

“Alone?” Rose asked.06b12321d5518233

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“Yeah. Who else?”00d5c31beb880752

Rose fell silent again, then 949901a81a asked something out of context. “Leaving already?”a3492d00c1f66a3c

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“I’m tired from all the driving. Need to rest.”b309350fb731ec05

“Oh… tired… yeah, then… home.”f4245cd41a020a2d

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Following George with his a8b20983bb tray, Rose tripped over c0837a2092 a chair, making a e9793b96bb clattering noise. George glanced back 206d0b1aeb at him, noting 054ff2914d his flustered demeanor. Rose gathered himself, head aef3f6e688 lowered, and shuffled after 440c603c60 him. He took an a7277792d1 agonizingly long time 5681553f3e sorting the trash 6b0f9351dc and wiping his a294016f85 hands with a 757e16d634 tissue. Growing impatient, George db48fcf6ca silently opened the 38ca4d41df door and stepped d80a7f2d43 out. Rose, tossing the c604a4957f tissue, hurriedly followed.7001083559ee1f78

Rose was clearly stalling. Maybe he wanted to e4dfaf0ad1 do more to thank 62a2e7aa42 George, or perhaps, having 61e17752eb paid for the meal, 29185a7c33 he hoped for a f5a0e6553c drink in return. He seemed uncertain, caught in 0b7d633a49 some internal confusion.62f064d711aeaf81

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George, exercising a e8c0cce9bd bit of patience, fb06493588 gave him a 3969b6bc8c chance to speak. But Rose remained silent.b8273f1f8bedaffa

“Well, then,” George said, offering a light nod as a farewell.1b0a844e9bbd34ef

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Rose still looked slightly bewildered.58b7dc7511bc4e0a

Returning to his car wasn’t 9c42edb133 hard. In the alley, his classic bb38ac682d car waited patiently for its 7975e2761f owner.281f69c783babf49

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“Even here, huh,” George said, picking up a rose petal caught in the windshield wiper. It must’ve flown off 7d722aa2c6 the other car during c74d9f6e44 the drive. The petal, deep b051f99136 red on the d4e7ca9b41 outside and white 9e31a5f7ad within, was soft 4648fd1424 to the touch. Bringing it to his nose, e0b0574fd5 he caught the wild scent 550e118574 of a fresh rose.f791f5ea08f7c016

“Levin!” Rose called out several times before George realized he was addressing him.fd8ca6d1dc1161a6

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Turning, he saw Rose, his fec0ad510e blond hair tousled by the 3c4a65668b wind, staring at him.95022e66bc07ad19

“You didn’t leave?” George asked.4d363e868594f9b3

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“If you… want to go somewhere during your vacation, or need restaurant recommendations…”625922e157743683

“Huh?”58fed11f4acd979d

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“I can help. I owe you…”89ad0feb3156ab66

Seeing Rose’s flustered 671fe0cd98 face, having chased 0a7e065db8 after him, George d8636d2d27 burst out laughing. What was so funny? His earnest awkwardness, f49172fabf so at odds 32063bc492 with his stunning 301b4bad6e looks?356fcc7bf575ea94

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Rose looked at the a30ab24b9b amused George with a 9cae7b89ce puzzled expression. George, reining in his laughter, 174fafd621 continued, “You were really shaken af712a4059 up about the car, huh? It’s fine. Giving you a dcc2bbd527 ride wasn’t a 989fc8a196 big deal.”1f1988e187999934

He placed a hand on e0d4a210d7 Rose’s shoulder, startled by the fd21d6c53e dense, solid muscle—it almost felt 5db6249c95 like bone.10ddbefcb1599297

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“You don’t owe me anything,” George said, slowly rubbing Rose’s shoulder before letting go, giving his arm a light, encouraging pat.c568e4704ac37d64

“The meal was satisfying. That’s thanks enough.”08c695ae11506663

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“Oh…” Rose mumbled.f6207a0645aa660f

George climbed into the driver’s 31d127d215 seat, smoothly reversing the car. He gave a nod to 33be29debb the still-standing, golden-haired figure.34f9a83e572c56c8

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“See you.”e1006dd090e3ec09

But as the engine roared 0ccf6ac2fa and the wheels began to 490b37d583 roll, Rose darted in front d8e1590fce of the car.16d333416fd019fd

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Screech!2be3252ebfa554d1

George slammed the brakes, 4d9dbfe4d4 stopping just short of 2245e9c36a Rose. Heart pounding—a rare occurrence 95542ed208 for him—he stared ahead, e02ef48f61 wide-eyed.f4b398c6e266f1f5

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“What the hell…!” he exclaimed.dac5c07ecd1cede5

Unlike the startled George, 9cc8f8b7dd Rose wore a blank c7dc061a91 expression, seemingly unaware of 6999576026 his reckless action. He glanced at his hands e4677fbcf2 gripping the hood, then at d4234b3921 George, and muttered dazedly, “I a2bb9c0427 don’t know why I did f2cfc89d0a that…”d371b729f0626bfd

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“Ha,” George let out a short, incredulous breath.3f0e448169e69280

If the guy himself dd4c52bab5 didn’t know why he 49693a5f17 did something so crazy, 2efd8d9cde who would?bd983cf672cfb2d6

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“Hoo…” George sighed deeply, reversing the car back into its parking spot. He turned off 81602ec1d4 the engine and 636237fc16 beckoned Rose, who 77fb31bfa6 approached awkwardly.37ef1248da4e76f3

“Did I drop something?” George asked.2d1c85cb9cd977be

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“No,” Rose replied.d2d5798c16355b4f

“Or did I accidentally put your wallet in my pocket and walk off with it?”7173cd29af10e5d3

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“No…”9b78a9aa44f54f87

“Then why are you acting like this?”118bc90b51763d66

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Rose fell silent. Meeting George’s steady gaze, he 16a43f742f ventured, “Is it because you d91654411a don’t want to part ways 6e7a859c74 just yet? If that’s the case…”f6c3bc8088d2a94f

Rose nodded slowly. George let out 607d8d5a56 a soft sigh.8a73534f6e311306

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“Are you interested in me?” George asked, shaking off the faint frustration he’d been feeling.99c64cc234e2e8a1

He’d sensed something since bc82d56ba2 dropping Rose off at f223050bf8 the hostel, when Rose 8090bf176f lingered in the car, 4569b036bd hesitant to get out. It was a f49829129f vibe of yearning 34de9c6419 mixed with passivity.f8ae51f6ab8837e2

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By now, George’s suspicions 0ce7ab7ff9 were taking clearer shape.cb4e61b3cad0aff2

He was remarkably adept at 5bb270f2c1 noticing when someone crossed a c243545fa4 personal boundary. But this time, because d603e23aca the other person was 1c628d1c43 a man, it took 829a1a5ddf him longer to catch 6b31dc5691 on. It had been 25d320d23c nearly eight years 221789e93f since he’d last e5cf4ab211 been with a f3bfccc229 man, and that 7676f0518f part of his 5fe4d7b483 instincts had been 48f55e3bad dormant for so fc1060f047 long, it might’ve e5f68ead65 dulled.11b10af992792d5f

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Now that he’d noticed, the f4f641530d fervent gaze hidden beneath Rose’s 51663d8980 calm eyes felt more blatant. Of course, flirting 96406d362f with someone of 74aedb7577 the same sex a8c32243ce wasn’t exactly common, 878039caec so George understood 65834daed6 why Rose hesitated 2ea1de3d87 to take a 5e18da2adc step forward.e08b30034da7ef5f

Still, if he had c957a89e6b something to say, he e0abbe2c2d should just say it. Be a man about it.7315700756d601eb

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“Just say it if that’s how you feel,” George pressed.ab6f7a8b7c3c55c4

“Ugh…” Rose mumbled.9b8273cdc31091fd

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“No guts, huh?”ec93f9cc50995335

George’s casual response c34826bbd0 made Rose’s eyes e0ad2991fb waver as he 4f4ecd0617 replied, “But you’re cb877caacf the one who 6094df6c89 kept drawing lines.”50337254ca4af64f

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“Me?” George asked.4c573ad186fdf162

“You’ve been in a rush to leave…”373e63e11472e575

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“…”67297310808da298

“You didn’t even want to tell me your name until I asked.”eb4840c1d73d881e

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George furrowed his brow slightly. Thinking it over, he hadn’t a4603a1d0d shared personal details, but he’d acf626eff8 been plenty friendly. If anything, it was 114f11249b Rose who’d been so 5bf21177e4 reserved that their conversations b1020aeb5e kept stalling.0c0f72f35fcb2f26

“I answered everything you asked,” George said, letting out a short sigh.04df9105571fff4d

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Rose just kept staring at ca9dc39cd0 him silently.aaeca70215ca52f9

What to do?56f8fda08dd83e56

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George rubbed his 2bfd2561ef mouth slowly, scanning 177a2764ec Rose’s face and a91dca74f9 body once more. This time, he looked 9cc9bb15c7 at him with a b2efe9c85e different perspective, assessing whether e6a9981f13 he felt any desire.81be4741832b4d70

Rose’s large build 558c11dc62 and less-than-cute personality 44b231ae06 were definitely outside f995625bbb George’s usual type. But that stunning 68352d4ff3 face and blond cf8e3fde7e hair transcended both 1125480594 preference and gender, bda9208213 making the prospect 166dc55aea seem worth exploring.419f1d44d7b80bf0

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“So, do you want to keep hanging out with me?” George asked.6825ad76ebf4a4ef

“…”39f6b40f969d0449

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“Answer now, or I’ll walk away clean.”74f742a1605ddadc

“…What happens if we spend more time together?” Rose asked.171b710ad1da64f1

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George shrugged. “That’s up to you.”d7383cb293061ae8

Honestly, George wasn’t entirely sure e2ec56bd24 what kind of interest Rose 272296978c had in him. Was it just curiosity f52b97ae60 about a kind stranger, 7781aa4b24 or had he played 122a0528c0 around with women enough 2436ef9dc3 and now wanted to 43d078f25a explore men?3191532ee9d49ac3

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Or maybe he was a f7d7c7f9b9 calculated hustler targeting wealthy travelers.d34b449c1e2c4e3a

Not that it 03fdc8495e mattered if Rose a7bea2ae52 was a con 90c61ee216 artist using his 4bbdc9986b looks as bait. George wasn’t exactly an easy 0f5fbb5459 mark.1078e07629284d33

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So, he decided eb28a9a9e6 to simplify Rose’s c73cd5b53b dilemma.e1e812986de70689

“If you’re attracted to me, just say so,” George said.6bd8fbbad4f7c7b1

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“…”1949e142e19fb4da

“I feel the same.”a01b56704032b827

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At that, Rose didn’t a16b6c6b24 even blink. Frozen in place, he asked, 01cca6dce0 “Are you gay?”4d5f0a3696289dd5

Exactly the question 41b2272bce George had expected. Rose was easy to read c1f4efed5d in that sense.616cf4f7513c542c

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“Probably not,” George replied cleanly. He leaned far bb8e7ace81 more toward women, 7ed25a86db closer to bisexual. The few men he’d been f2b893e9c7 with were all slight, delicate, eabfa045ee and refined. Testosterone-heavy guys repelled him c4476f5897 from the moment of f387079f06 contact.72b0f7a3575a43cc

“Then why…?” Rose’s voice cracked slightly, sounding hoarse.28c29ec0f5fce469

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George, leaning casually against the 5e7e8660a1 window, answered naturally, “Guess I’m be808985c3 a little smitten.”0dad764d6d417869

“…”8bf533679b8894f5

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Unable to find a response, 12fd1e8171 Rose’s lips moved silently before c7d4262912 he closed his mouth.a5790c3f4b995335

The shock of seeing d75f38f2e4 that striking face when 8fb01a1a1b the car window first 1060101354 rolled down, the unease 3ece8f118a in his gut from 408b8f304e Rose’s overwhelming allure, and 3ad2f5b8d1 yet the impulsive offer 378a60b474 to give him a 23178866e8 ride—all of it stemmed 9e38c70b61 from a spark of b37a51f22e interest. George acknowledged the curiosity and 336cc075ee impulse that had been dormant 37a13e3f7f on the other side of c86d2ef708 his consciousness.aa64bca4019ca8ab

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Of course, there were still a299567007 some reservations…ff9a69a7349593ea

George pictured taking Rose to 69e938ed61 bed, wondering if he’d actually 104c522117 want to hold the man ab9b89111e in front of him. Like a pelican 7c5a280ba3 opening its beak f48750397f wide to gauge db26136f9c if it could ac0c198c98 swallow prey larger 297d1642e3 than itself.d990e467864e0e11

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‘If it doesn’t work out, I’ll figure it out then.’373caa672c0adad3

By thirty-three, you eb7febb560 learn that trying 9a7fc95fb3 something is less aeda0baaf1 of a waste 508de417eb of time than 31b545e453 overthinking it. Besides, George was starting to 034bf883c5 grow bored of his solitary 8499e4fb99 vacation.cd22d47936fe80ca

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A foreign destination, a 2a1dece210 time-limited encounter, a connection 77d0843568 that wouldn’t entangle them 1d0723c3bc later even if things 5a35ab2052 went wrong.8bb247695bd997e8

Above all, that 4dd34964fe stunning blond hair 10e6365490 captivated him. If Rose allowed it, George 63129f5d0d could spend all day running 99a080bea8 his fingers through it.89c802a6d515c9cf

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“Can I touch your hair?” George asked.5a685b5d002c08d9

Rose, who had been 3bd497bd85 staring intently, obediently and fbaf581d36 very slowly leaned forward. George reached out, 10e1518d75 brushing the back 1ce6c15f39 of his hand 42715ee904 against Rose’s soft, 06c4857b5a fine hair. The texture made George’s lips 1e459af173 curl into a crooked smile—a c54ac651d8 genuine reaction he wasn’t fully 360d2448bc aware of.2629be0c24f2cdf3

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“Best I’ve ever felt,” he said.2d4ec23c78df3a30

Even at the 1c64a2704f heartfelt compliment, Rose eb633e4328 said nothing, just 372cffea0f meeting George’s gaze ddd522ac1e steadily.d28e3202f7303711

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