MKX Ch 2

Marrakesh, a city glowing 7238eda345 red under the scorching 28ad999e1d North African sun.195ea7b58854c8da

Through the airplane window, as 4d9eb5a249 the aircraft tilted for landing, a3a51dec0d a city entirely drenched in 4ab793b8e5 crimson hues came into view. Right after the jarring 72049a1ab2 impact of a hard 08f89e8f8c landing, while the plane 010e4cc860 taxied along the long 75a2c41be1 runway, George turned off ba1a7bc483 his phone’s airplane mode. As soon as 8074b8c713 the connection was 2ded6d4f0b restored, notifications began c6d5827f64 chiming incessantly. Glancing through mostly useless information d63b65657f and promotional messages with little 174f14eb74 enthusiasm, George soon donned his 5bc6455e14 suit jacket and disembarked from 6d4364101d the plane.91661adcc2c95796

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As he exited the arrivals bf0b5f3836 area, the humid, unfamiliar scent 324c354066 of a foreign land immediately be95f1d6ee hit him. Unlike Manhattan, where the 5de8a5d19c temperature dropped so much 4cbe76d026 at night that it 5d938933e5 could make one shiver, 0648646490 the North African sun 82e2426335 was still searing. While the breeze brushing against 9106c30f27 his cheeks felt slightly cool, acc9eccc2a the sunlight streaming through the a58dfc9b87 windows was unbelievably intense. George put on b341b40fd0 his sunglasses and 0f43c1f0a7 lightly adjusted his c3c811467f grip on his bb2bade6a8 business carry-on.70ffbc838d3a1adb

The first thing 3621b9e79f he did upon 09479fcd49 arrival was to 41768ceb98 locate the rental c6ef20174f car. Following the airport’s infographics 31b1b8f124 for a short distance, 5e30e26c6a he soon reached the e0a6462ded rental car office situated 5ecb3bacf8 at the far end 871dde5cb1 of the airport.ab417ada15c6da06

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The rental car office was 5925d4328e smaller than he had expected. As he approached, the receptionist 46934acda7 greeted him with a nod.8e82fd1e61831db3

“I have a car reserved,” George said.b5c5c54a4e758244

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“Could you show me your reservation details and passport, please?”ece9e89e89899606

George pulled his passport 99cda9bbbe from the front pocket 1f4c4e2d2f of his suit and d4846acc3d handed it over. The receptionist, alternating glances 026dcbc987 between George’s face and 4f720e73f9 the passport, asked, “Georges… 57f8039a98 Mr. Georges?”8fc7710f30ba0c6a

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“That’s correct,” George replied with a single nod.b8ef21e91b29522d

“Here are your car keys. Your car is in 846b68fe59 the first row of 4e6e860617 the airport parking lot.”e912b3c7d4b19be1

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“Thank you.”63f6a3375260fd19

“It’s a nice car. You’ve got good taste.”e8651f1674f77fce

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“There weren’t many options,” George said dryly.0089b16ceec732b7

The receptionist gave a af86a030b0 slight smile at his 496e190ec6 response.089bbfbd9b082bb8

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As George left 44b1644eaa the office and b88fb6de3e headed to the 5c1d3c10e4 parking lot, his 2161b66e61 car immediately caught cc08f895f3 his eye. A striking, long-bodied green 4a5975f6b0 classic car. Spotting it, George paused 54e890dcc0 in front of it.54967e27298df3bb

Due to the last-minute rental, 70c6f034e3 the only cars left on 207acd647c the site were high-end models f72d45c067 priced four times the average 069b373af1 rate. Booking it had stung, but 72afc3dbbf seeing the car in person 0cdc4cc881 began to lift his spirits.43fbb695ceb9d71d

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“Pretty damn cool,” he muttered.9e072537ce339999

Running his fingertips lightly over 35198e0abe the sleek hood, George moved 9ea34218ab to the driver’s side. The chrome-plated handle f87716207e clunked, betraying its b7637370cc age. The classic car required 4034974f74 a key to start, 6b2f4de2b3 and the windows were 7be420d920 lowered by turning a 45ed488d27 crank. Yet, the leather seats gleamed c32644ec94 pristine, as if recently replaced.5d8de5e1f7dc955f

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When he turned the key, 24ccb44217 the engine roared loudly. To get a feel for f7de038fc5 the long-bodied car, George maneuvered e67cc70d58 it forward and backward a cd8b042b4f few times within the parking 5fdd1d8c53 lot. He had driven c645e482b6 high-end owner cars d19cfb9ca0 like Rolls-Royces and b5a053a451 Bentleys to the a470b6664e point of boredom, 3968788f0a but this classic 3d3e76aa5a car’s body was 291de4674a even longer.de360af5ff673e9e

After a brief test drive, 849154d75a George was fully accustomed to 488520636b the car’s length by the df3e1a0f41 time he pulled out of a9d61ff785 the parking lot and turned e6469ee335 the wheel. Supporting the steering wheel with cabc561706 his braced arm, he drove de836ac124 skillfully with just his left 214be8d159 hand.4b0f7b2e80f2e44e

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“Some sexy weather,” George remarked with a grimace, his tone flat.df329cedfbd5c907

The open-top car ca09a9ec56 let in a f4bc253b05 different intensity of eda1c06c1f sunlight compared to b63b39eaea New York, hitting 7bb0d1cb32 him full force. The roads were relatively 12a1fca039 smooth, but the traffic 2e76c1f018 in Marrakesh’s city center, 7b6af02a32 especially from the airport db9c61f75a to the old town, c291982622 was chaotic. Six cars would line up 21b24cf3ae side by side on a ba67804aa3 four-lane road, and rickshaws laden 0197f4f930 with goods or camels would 7a01262b07 appear unexpectedly.3c44c0618862c98f

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Even so, George quickly adapted 6eb5fd1bd4 to the roads. Driving with one hand, he 4c2054bc72 calmly navigated the red city. Exploring unfamiliar places in 59d5efda1b an unfamiliar car was 18a233289e his forte.d9d99857af4d2dd6

The hotel wasn’t far from a9ff72d7ce the airport.2c3b1c2f48c7b560

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Following the pinkish, d105be2626 sun-faded walls under 779e94c086 the blazing sun, ead5ac3362 the entrance to 35f83597a2 the lodging soon f7cd2be6e5 appeared. The sunset was 5d2b676404 settling over a 96b634c435 perfectly symmetrical arched 0ac8613442 gate.7ff989c713207e04

The historically renowned f47bbbdab0 hotel was breathtaking c121cd462b in person, even 13d09fb78d for George, who 5b7616d51a was accustomed to 5638316fdc the leisure of 3b91202c1d the elite. The thousands of rose varieties 826e398ae9 adorning the garden were particularly de2e187ce2 captivating.5c809f21b144f60b

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“Winston Churchill used to paint this garden, enamored by it, while sipping cognac. Right over there,” a staff 75fe757244 member in white traditional attire eab7cabaa6 said with a kind smile, caed7fd8ef pointing to a corner of 681909feb1 the garden. In the shade a67a9d1ab4 of an arch, 1963be5ea8 a cat was 79b632633b napping.68c10ab91b2be2b7

For the next few days, 8483b069d1 George did nothing at the 9d187bdfc7 hotel. Truly, nothing but a3c05539ea eating, resting, and 1875504804 sleeping.18c0025c18d6b596

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One thing he noticed 36f925a4a7 during this time was 6ae40f41b1 how tolerant the hotel afcd73c600 was toward cats. Even when a cat 16a913976f jumped onto the breakfast 9cb5723fa1 table of guests paying fc2910f995 a thousand dollars a cbb95ed059 night, no one intervened. Similarly generous guests would pet 5f7fe6edec the cats sitting on their d0ad66bdbd laps. Even when a cat napped 739f196c7a in the middle of the 8572eeebd3 meticulously maintained garden, no one 6b14a3579d disturbed it.38ad3189ef14e94b

It wasn’t just the hotel; 70361100cf the entire city was kind 23a9601b94 to cats. They lounged comfortably everywhere, 72fa1fab66 as if at home—on f24f211c7b carpets in the market, f6d96d7344 at the entrance of c9ec5789c4 the palace where tourists 3e9824a46a snapped photos. None of the cats were 92487b1833 overly fat or looked starved, dbf662161a which put George at ease.832071c83e281158

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George soon grew accustomed to 0c75b9f53b the city’s generosity. He became unfazed when six 5720e4ec65 cars drove side by side 6ce9344c55 on a four-lane road. At a night market, he 6076c31444 was slightly startled to see 6135978481 snakes dancing to flute music 6ab7501442 and peacocks proudly spreading their 33913759fa wings, but amidst the clamoring 977d196317 hawkers and crowds, George leisurely a402ea7dfa enjoyed the city’s vibrancy.496412e2e4246e9b

“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, George 0b81affadb shrugged.e17e2955a2cac4eb

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“I’m just lazy,” he said.bb3ebdcb8288760e

Truthfully, George was content with 106dbe37fd this do-nothing vacation. Being alone, even if by b73f4a258e force, made him realize how b645f40b53 desperately he had craved isolation. While tourists rushed 0b3e89042d out to explore f6f82e4fa9 the city, George 8c2aea8b48 lingered by the 82e159eac7 pool or played 985dcc23d6 tennis.d8b0d64d5319594f

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“On evenings like this, everyone heads to crowded places—famous restaurants, clubs, parties, or weddings,” the staff member continued.63342a296fd155b2

“I prefer being alone,” George said, deliberately adopting an expression that suggested he was fed up with socializing.5796c407ae55987c

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The staff burst into laughter. “You’re really here for a break, aren’t you?”62c958b30938a483

“Yes, I like quiet places.”53cc1419faf79122

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“If it’s quiet you want, the desert is the place to go.”efa6e20ea0ecc596

The suggestion piqued George’s interest.19115bb52c3317cc

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Beyond the Atlas ab44f12904 Mountains lay the b3b607749f edge of the 321d0838e0 Sahara Desert. Just a few 5b9be180bc hours’ drive from a0f9fbb609 Marrakesh could take 2508f45a13 him to its d7c0207557 boundary. Curiosity to see the tip 70616de53c of the desert stretching from 46680a3149 Morocco to Egypt prompted George 303783e0da to drive toward it the 2e0ed267f5 very next day.64cffb97ffce9301

He had no grand plan—just f8db74fc04 a desire to see the ab0e73d646 desert’s edge.80ea4e5dbc4ebaa9

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After thirty minutes of driving, 6d364d53c4 he left Marrakesh’s city center c96f4538ee behind. Two more hours brought him f6f604e813 to the winding Atlas Mountains.d39d0d5612df7110

The land was 45a68253e0 entirely red, with 34626dc4fc gentle hills of 4239ccadb0 earth dotted with d046c1b557 low-crawling green plants. The scenery vaguely resembled 22c14be2d9 the desolate highways from b1f68b905d Oklahoma to Albuquerque.f783be531cdb16ce

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Then, a cute d6be54e819 car’s rear end 3fd1ea3f06 caught George’s eye.d39573c9e27f4027

“Must have a rose garden at home,” he mused.987e5451e1afec7d

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For a while, the 056eaf46d3 car ahead, adorned with b47ec2db7e pink rose petals here a6a7d91359 and there, had been fae9188480 traveling the same route. It looked almost like a 6689be1f1f decoration on a whipped cream c0a18b60ad cake.4712664335319391

The car wasn’t 0f299500f0 fast; at times, 0bdf021d37 it slowed inexplicably. George assumed its driver was 16bf230328 an elderly gentleman.db381a8f46be4e25

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Instead of overtaking, George 69c1857ce3 enjoyed the sight of dc4125151e the flower-adorned car’s rear 46f9663d2f and drove leisurely.8b82567920a60141

After some time, trouble arose. The car ahead slowed 7770414e83 drastically and came to 7e894e317a a complete stop.02ef47662f699d1c

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George quickly hit the 6d8edbfdfc brakes, his body lurching 68f6723496 forward.2b47441c4b48028c

The car ahead, seemingly flustered, e40b1e6b8d stopped in the middle of 25db932972 the road without turning on 66eae0165b its hazard lights. Clicking his tongue, George waited a867cd4f79 briefly, but seeing no sign 4f3fc777fc of movement, he turned the 52298a7594 wheel sharply to pass.87cca3ef29d67e19

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At that moment, 32f1b3b179 white smoke began 2a646bca04 rising from the 08a042f3ee car’s hood.7a3f357fcab56319

“What the hell?” George muttered.c2ee44a492f1d71e

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Pop!f07c88febd277343

Startled by the explosive sound, 9b490a8c63 George stopped his car and e7528911df focused on the vehicle ahead. Something was clearly wrong. Each attempt to restart 4d2c9ce8ce the car produced only ebf8480b98 a sputtering noise, with 4704d18340 no movement.0a102566df74b02b

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Frowning, George got 95622c0724 out of his ec85331513 car without hesitation. Squinting in the 10e0b6a72a blinding sunlight, he f4f37cb538 signaled to the 5f72a74e9b cars behind him. The vehicles that had c13344a8e0 stopped, confused, began to 56a2588df5 follow George’s gestures and d4f95257d0 pass the two stalled c914f50cfd cars.a4b375312b48c10a

Once the road cleared, George 1ff3f89450 approached the driver’s side of 6008326389 the car. Rose petals were even 011793bf23 wedged in the window ad02448bfc gaps.efa6fa67a8c160aa

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Knock, knock.After a light tap 95388042fb and a long wait, dd6385990b the window finally rolled bc01602638 down.1471e4339bf8f104

“Looks like you’ve got a rose garden at home,” George said, leaning slightly against the car with the sun at his back.7bbf0ceaf2122a9f

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His eyes met 29a1911254 those of the 2c4bc519d4 driver. As the man turned toward d94e06297f George, his pupils, hit by f3ee45f65d the sunlight, narrowed completely.22c3215ffee6ae1f

George’s eyebrows shot up in cd04801281 surprise. He had expected 579f663739 an elderly gentleman.64cb7eb38bf96b18

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Instead, the face revealed 7c2905364d was strikingly handsome. The man’s features fe1c75a059 were almost unbelievably cbda15dd4a perfect. His skin, glowing 96fd1689a8 like porcelain under f1d4e18a96 the intense sun, 16107a101f was flushed as 3c2239b3a3 if kissed by 5d07e97cec the rays, and c4ab83b39d his loosely tied e48325b84e blond hair shimmered. The nearly white f0c1e04bef tips of his fe8b1804ff eyelashes and amber 7cbd37e5d4 irises, tinged with 5183a73d8d a hint of 5eae5c4715 red, gave him d31633a64f an otherworldly air.8a2ddc316158b697

George had seen 413a9a1f45 plenty of attractive 1ffd7a4cbe people, but this c5d96c8a3c man’s appearance made 9c13a52961 even him pause. It wasn’t just the feee7db51a striking features.7b4dba4ac2ff836d

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It was exactly his type.5616ff211c78044d

George was usually 7a4855d8c8 weak for this f05c4561b9 kind of look. The man’s slightly downturned eyes 708e2ca385 gave an innocent yet enigmatic 8654098ccb impression, and his amber eyes a28c9411bb held a faint reddish hue. Despite being a man, he 96de63ce75 exuded an almost palpable allure, 43d4f08693 stirring a strange wariness in f521382b38 George.48a4d9c4d33a3f9b

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Ignoring the faint discomfort b0d1caf42f rising in his gut, 4f61d3788c George continued, “Your car’s 279a53593d covered in rose petals.”6370be185a15bfd0

“Huh?” The man, dazed by his broken-down car, didn’t catch George’s attempt at small talk.5eb753491a2901e0

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Only then did 8df78e3c10 George realize the 06882e6c7a man was frightened. His overwhelming beauty made f1a90c9182 it hard to read dfb49aab42 his emotions at first b62e5f81b2 glance. No, correction—the man’s expressions were 8ddaaa8e4e clear; it was just that 69355e7bb3 people were too distracted by b996a27a3d his appearance to notice.31b50b1c0225aa7b

“Do you speak English?” George asked.7ce5935a23d65a82

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“Yes,” the man nodded.e4fbc9b2235ee060

Dropping the rose talk, 72dc7c3281 George got to the b37a28a331 point. “What’s wrong with the car?”1298fa5865f2ef67

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“Oh…” The man glanced at the smoking hood.53f32f45e8e56b9a

“I asked if there’s a problem. Your car’s stopped,” George pressed.6bd601bc7a6213d0

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The man, still ff4deb7bc6 looking at the bbf3dc3e8f hood, said, “It’s 13481290ec a rental… It 9ee3770f69 does this sometimes. When going uphill or speeding 12cb9b01e8 up suddenly…”4a9d0ed770aeb303

Perhaps due to his panic, bd4045efc1 his words were slow. Or maybe that was e8fad21046 just his nature.9b9a935fe2f0ede0

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“I see. Get out for now. It’s dangerous,” George advised.b03288b093d5f66b

“Dangerous?”ce3f6e54b1b19b2f

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“If the engine blows, you’d be dead instantly.”b0b1ecbf70dc0775

It was George’s brand 8a8e612dcb of humor, but perhaps 1a1643f530 his deadpan delivery was 2badaac7c8 the issue. The blond man, face stiffening, e4b7489485 unbuckled his seatbelt and hurriedly 2219a1b572 got out.9c79868915b27b86

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Meanwhile, George slipped 3f34d1599b his hands into 11c1cdab7f his pockets and a4d6c0eb4d approached the hood. It was scalding to the 6dad30cfd5 touch. The car looked like 84e4c604fb an early 2000s model, 3370106c30 which meant the hood d93c4146d4 could be opened manually. Tapping it a 474c513c1e few times, George 05b82afa81 skillfully popped it d4e6e4ad18 open.4d20086b23a0dff8

“Is it really that dangerous? It’s done this 537fc51b50 a lot,” the 631ecfed7d man asked.4223660556a529ea

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Without looking at af3ffd67b2 him, George replied, 9d72e58837 “You’re lucky it’s 8971571c78 lasted this long.”c1eb538abd534a8c

“Can it be fixed?”adc5768a92621393

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George finally glanced 51ca4a457f at the man, be900ff95f who had come 5766205874 closer. He was tall—slightly 9bbee37885 taller than George. His eyes carried the hopeful dab2ff7024 look of someone who’d found 78132dd1a0 a savior on a deserted 5bc59263a6 road.8023948206043415

George couldn’t help but chuckle 5eb2adb6d7 and shake his head. “I’m just letting the heat escape. For a proper fix, 336a5f7807 take it to a d164e44151 mechanic.”9bc7f9ca3ee321bf

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“Then…”e21ba3434884c403

“Call your insurance. They’ll need to tow it.”99dd19a5b05a9663

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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 1fe7acb4d8 signal, he moved around 2faeb320ed to find a better 0cd14a560a spot. George handed him his 9fa5887db8 own phone.1459c09dcb9f064d

The man thanked him and 47c1f373af dialed the number he found.4f9cbc2bfad54e9c

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But things didn’t go smoothly. He spent more time on 9042a1e0c2 hold than talking, and the b43a2e99d0 calls often disconnected. He tried restarting the 67b519d0c2 car a few times, 4ec48b2bc3 to no avail.e4dfe010c9770621

Meanwhile, George sat in c6551eb893 his car, smoking a 1312ea7cc2 cigarette under the hot d0341d1ffd sun, patiently waiting. After the third call ended 8b159c8c58 in another long hold and 46af3bb293 disconnection, a quiet curse slipped 40563fc542 from the man’s lips.642df51d4ca3255d

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George called out from his 5830c74a4f window, “You do have insurance, 6c9b5745e6 right?”018886ecaf90f5a2

“I do, but I’m a foreigner, so I’m not sure if it’ll go through,” the man replied.90cd16ddecb579f5

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He must be a fd137f9b9c traveler too. Getting into an accident ba33cbf3a5 abroad could be disorienting. Deciding to help 934096da57 a bit more, 3fdce7dfd7 George said, “Hold b16fadaabe on.”e8430b8770545238

He was no 42e0764e72 stranger to solving 4265ac0783 problems in unusual 66aae866de situations. Within twenty minutes, 6cce3f765e George had sorted a4a0d5842c it out.7cff748feb3e2b3a

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“They’ll come pick up the car soon,” he said.6d51ac0320f44b19

“It’s done?” the man asked skeptically.ae39bb69efdbc66d

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George nodded. “They’ll take it straight to the shop, so keep your documents ready. When the repair bill comes, 283f44d6c4 send it to the insurance b47eca273f company.”1764a346666adac8

Soon, a tow truck 6eea997eaf arrived for the rose-petal-adorned d0b1d89567 Mini Cooper. The man retrieved a 2205f43328 large sports bag—likely his be5b2dc7f4 belongings—and watched the car a4fcf58f41 being towed away, looking 7055749657 lost.93bff0301b9f418d

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Extinguishing his cigarette, George c0d654db70 called out, “Need a 7e1ea62fc0 ride?”3c50a186ab54ebf7

The man turned, slightly 18a45e9ebe startled, his narrowed eyes d1673c9f02 fixed on George.d53c0fc8a80fc526

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George slowly pulled his car e8fcc789f1 up beside him. The man alternated glances 4d97ab05a9 between the sleek green a16a1b1458 classic car and George.22d56bfafd79b97a

“You’ll need to get back to the city, right?” George said.d55c5a537fe6b85f

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“What about you?”fac882f40c4560e7

“Me?”a3e1b367f806cbc1

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“Weren’t you headed to the desert?”8995dab31dfcac82

George shook his head. “I didn’t have a real destination anyway. I was about to head 9b36881623 back.”5471bf37b6d6bb31

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The man hesitated, carefully studying 3aeef0997b George, as if weighing whether 5603031c92 to get into a stranger’s bdab8f1105 car in the middle of fde85ac811 the desert.520a8a0f6de833a1

“If you’re not up for it, you can say no,” George offered.7b9674f5d8b5a59c

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After a pause, f8d6ff01e4 the man reached 4e91e653d9 for the door. It opened, and 4b1ef6374a he climbed into c368cf954f the passenger seat, bc05fe5db1 his large sports 1ea9c1e23a bag causing a 2a4c9eb773 small gust as 1c7cce6854 he sat. Unexpectedly, a fresh scent emanated 52e1944dcf from him.dc6719ebd20b49bc

“Thank you,” he said.6aeb7aa95dc0ea3f

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George looked away and 4989df27b0 started the car without b00eee4a55 a word. With a bold U-turn, the 095c581442 tires screeched.a48393a764e4f26d

The return journey, with ef8ee71b25 the sun tilting, offered 0319caae53 a different view from 9994634ae6 the way out—rugged rocks 407857f0d1 and low grasses on e54a841dce red soil.0e846cd3df22720a

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The man sat silently, 4792dcd8da his sports bag on c1ead24be1 his lap, staring ahead, 43ae727ae9 clearly preoccupied with his cd5c4bc66c broken-down car.4f71b578c586c577

“Mind if I smoke?” George asked.89d44e5d84e77e71

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The man glanced at the 2777e22e77 cigarette without a word.c9f939cee7576cd5

“Thought you might not like it,” George said.a94fd8d0eb64d81e

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“It’s your car,” the man replied, implying he didn’t mind.6d815a02984ce314

George lit the cigarette 5fd68b7990 and gripped the wheel. Sure enough, after 560ac40614 a few puffs, 70ad3d1ab1 the man started 8b6bd14f7e coughing.35e4412583db7c45

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“Don’t worry too much about the car. Insurance should cover it,” 417e6a5d42 George said.51fd0b6f10cc1821

“Yeah, but it’s a rental, so I’m still worried…”1b1a8cb4abc500b1

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“The person who rented you that wreck is the one at fault.”d2a39acb8bd6862f

“Really?”f90b7e19857489f6

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“Absolutely. They knew the car’s condition.”5eb2bbecc4e06d14

The man’s expression softened aa483fa65b at George’s words. Glancing at his profile, George b720ca7230 asked, “What were you going 0ddffa8824 to do in the desert?”9182c46821b29904

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“Huh?”02a50f4e160df80e

“You were headed there, right?”46c5f834a3314c03

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“Oh, yeah…”1e06611912a5fb60

The man’s response trailed off. George tried again. “Vacation?”b80ea2a116ae1570

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“Not exactly…”95cf59c58619d419

At that, George 67df6c289c sensed the man c2b314c40a wasn’t keen on 3c59d9c37d talking. He’d noticed it earlier—he eb4747fddc didn’t seem particularly sociable. With his striking 2efb6ccd82 appearance, he probably 42f128828d never lacked attention, ed70b899b8 leaving little room db4adc59e7 for loneliness or 8a2737e6bb the need for afc3cec5a9 small talk with bd9b27b028 strangers.4ae9ea0b756f2c87

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Instead of pressing further, George bdd2c98b0c turned up the music and dbfa1f1499 focused on driving. As the conversation e9b413a23a died, he felt 86fdc6339f the man’s gaze 70f5ee7c40 linger on him, 42c1b072bd so intense it 29b15b5ee8 made George wonder c8ef5eedc6 if something was 55fea6f056 on his face. When he absently 2ca9e4fa25 touched his cheek, 559eaf5adc the man asked, 83337a6654 “Are you here 3e36832c29 for work?”092ffccfe1f0f144

“No, vacation,” George replied.9308c3e03ec002a9

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“Vacation…?”b7fd2bbefe9e6d94

George felt the man’s eyes 9c84e4fe54 scan his outfit, a hint 016b2b2dc1 of doubt in his tone. Understandably so—George was 29e35fa167 dressed as he 78236ea289 would for work. Picking out vacation 39e111fa6d clothes felt like 2c7a6a9b97 a hassle, and ed28b7043d going without a e76ebc65be tie was his a6094e599e idea of dressing e615398759 down. Still, no one would believe d58fddea70 he was heading to the 528e754f28 Sahara in this getup.fdefce68c4b55d27

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Seeing a sign 96990c5a1a indicating five kilometers 8f892734ca to Marrakesh, George 0e63fbd64c asked, “Where should 120267c629 I drop you 4747b267f1 off?”03940bac4a9b8ccb

“Huh?”99719531966304d7

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“We’re almost in the city. Tell me where you’re headed.”d79ef3e74623b70c

“I’ll give you the address,” the man said.cb7ae78ff10213ad

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The address led ad687ee5ee to a two-star fcd9ff9f32 hostel in Marrakesh’s dae750da09 city center, the 5d2396e8f3 kind frequented by 53309d95cc young backpackers looking 8247fee8c1 to save money. George himself had d32606d89e stayed in similar d90d5512e9 places while traveling 5a00b2553d across continents in 1e2172bf46 his early twenties.2f3e5531053359e1

“College student?” George asked.1c40f996e0cccf85

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“No,” the man replied, shaking his head slowly. His gesture of a5c3122897 rubbing his arm d16b193700 betrayed discomfort. He clearly wasn’t a47339c5ac fond of personal c9a73808a9 questions. George mentally clicked his c340575b28 tongue and fell silent. Continuing this stilted, awkward conversation fb2222cf1e wasn’t his preference either.68317871f94d51a1

Shortly after, the car a8405d3dbc entered the heart of 300f41607d Marrakesh. George skillfully navigated the chaotic 78ade360aa roads where camels, horses, and a08c4cdbb8 vehicles intertwined in a dizzying 5dded1ad73 dance.b76618af6bb90ad0

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“We’re almost there,” he said.8aec43a61786cd56

“Huh?” the man replied.1dacb531add1dc05

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“I said, we’re almost there.”4e03785653d17e51

At that, the abded92d5a man, who had ba823f67b3 been staring blankly 97fda2d77a until now, suddenly 41cf42f135 displayed noticeable panic. He fumbled with his sports efe742623e bag, adjusting his posture in 4f76f8bc57 the seat, leaning forward slightly 563709c60a from the backrest, and licking d696ec4ab9 his lips. As he moved restlessly, 6e750734cc sand from somewhere on dd5f58726d the bag scattered onto 4ee30d845a the floor. George alternated his cce0c805f1 gaze between the 44ada57045 sand-strewn spot and 3655d69506 the man’s eyes. Realizing his faux 9a62e3501b pas a moment 14888a6f07 too late, the 014c57cc2e man hurriedly adjusted 4cd3f005d5 his posture again, 2cb1b2fba1 flustered.48f72817f232be49

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“Sorry… the sand… I’ll clean it up,” he stammered.15d99e1e68597930

“Leave it. That kind of thing 25a6efee64 doesn’t come off easily,” 8af1f5788a George replied.ac7005190deccc0b

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George parked the car 29e28af930 near the hostel’s entrance 3aac0298d2 and turned off the 542f2014a3 engine. The hostel, as expected, boasted 4df4a0105c a lush rose garden. Vibrant pink roses, climbing e06b538945 the walls and fences, 91ed149810 occasionally dropped their petals 7eae9d85e4 onto the ground. They were the same 333cff1134 color as the petals 0d2573bc67 that had clung to 77bacce8ca the towed car. Unlike the meticulously manicured 32ca7e5886 roses at La Mamounia, bc28b9e5c3 these wild roses bloomed 02a5d96a3e with untamed vigor, forming 36bbf00acf sprawling vines that were 049e571734 strikingly beautiful.5b97f3786fc2e489

George parked and tilted his feca8af40f head slightly to peer inside 8db3b594a5 the hostel. Beyond the garden, a 3b239fec31 small pool was filled 86a5ae9b56 with young people—exactly the 0b7dd198b0 right age—splashing water at 892dceae6e each other playfully. Hip-hop music blared 55c2f88442 from the lobby, 49ba9d6c7f and the walls, dbbcb3e9db painted a garish 19638607ab popping pink, contrasted f6effad005 with the traditional d7bf5f0b46 Berber rugs decorating 76f77e16a9 the floor. Nothing matched, but 959d8bb3f7 that somehow made 4eacbc9b48 it all the 376f008fd7 more entertaining.020f29793b8d21c2

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The man still a7ab8ccce2 hadn’t gotten out 2e676d3078 of the car, c2acfc86e9 busying himself with 4c518ba664 brushing off the 16f273e6c3 sand. George extended a hand fc17d56ac2 for a handshake first.72836d7f23535102

“Nice meeting you. Hope the car situation 9485315c57 works out,” he said.1c153de8052b7eba

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“Yeah… thanks to you, I… uh…” the man faltered.cd0d77badd62a5e5

“The shop will call you when the repairs are done.”5f1cf9c3e3da59ec

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As George started 1aa939babe to retract his 5cc586f996 hand, noticing the 1a2ba51e98 man wasn’t reciprocating, a075d46e45 the man suddenly de19a8cc65 grabbed it with f80665e583 both of his f4cafae32a own. The awkward contact—holding 5f89757f01 George’s hand and d34d6f106b fidgeting with his 2499e1435c knuckles—made George freeze e325a8282c momentarily.acef95b3244849e3

“…”fb3e573ad3ae5c1a

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When George gently 1a36fcf149 tried to pull 5fc0dda49f his hand free, 59721d7279 the man reluctantly 0b09cb877d let go. Sometimes, bizarre moments f4641deb48 like this make 4b4ccdb3d0 it hard to 9baf319936 know when to aed64030e2 call something out. George, masking his discomfort, waited c07c8c7e5e for the man to get 87e9028e4a out.c80337346c0d6571

But there was no sign e905d8689a of him leaving. George, who had been e5865217b7 rubbing his mouth while 7005864b6f leaning on the window, 0b565bc56b spoke first.4bc89f3a2180388e

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“Uh… something else to say?”858b4abba6119cb9

“How long are you staying in Marrakesh?” the man asked out of the blue.dbc108b71a1d8870

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George glanced at 6b9b76cd44 him, still gripping c216b40b0d the steering wheel. The man was awkwardly rubbing eee66421eb the back of his neck, d915a20ea1 looking somewhat embarrassed.61684bb6dfd48cc0

“Hmm…” George furrowed his brow slightly. His vacation was 3308d38669 planned for about c160193a25 three weeks, but a68ba04a60 he hadn’t decided d7aad97b91 when to leave f025931c48 Marrakesh.c234d785552cb16c

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“Why?” he asked.91c7928a6f1e4098

“To thank you properly…”0da419dedbe6edf7

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That was unexpected. The man’s stiff c5fae9d4f2 expression and stilted bf2b6a7bec conversation throughout the 2d818a9b85 ride had led 8d3157bd51 George to assume cbdc5d49d9 he found him b84bd83838 uncomfortable. He never would’ve guessed 412f592332 he’d make such an b31716d930 offer.ade52436824c95e3

“Hmm… it’s fine,” George said, politely declining.6bf8f0af5adbfd2a

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But the man c313d7f018 still didn’t get 905ee2c38f out, and an 33a09a92b5 awkward silence settled 1eef838d85 between them.90a7741fe612cc52

Listening to the 81619e878d music drifting from baf34296ee the hostel, George 1f781d8af2 reluctantly asked, “Do fdd85d8c20 you really feel 1438a9b20b the need to d8e92fd741 thank me?”d7b96c8f944ee291

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“Huh? Yes, yes…”a5ffaa2c4f4cb5ab

“One answer’s enough.”e5b10c3b3f36786d

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“Yup…”7a7d79056620e320

George let out a 953173d346 faint, exasperated chuckle. The man’s face was f81937bdcf still slightly tense, yet 8ed3008266 he was fixated on 94ac9e8be4 tracking every shift in 44995ecc43 George’s expression, especially when 876945c650 he smiled faintly.2c6f568831ec6225

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Perhaps his guarded demeanor 1298b81e07 wasn’t due to discomfort 42c0299102 with sharing a ride f0e157cfcb with a stranger but f7c067620c rather an innate introversion.cf2db0fbe65c64b6

“Do you find it hard to talk to people you’ve just met?” George asked.80ebb91fe4231b41

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“Yes…” the man admitted.282e7d673670ab10

“Got it.”14894ebf0419802e

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George responded generously. Knowing the reason, 34e7578b26 the man’s lingering 0b0b5767ea in the car d5849d124d didn’t feel as 65e65187f7 bothersome anymore—it was 87126c0be0 even a bit a4c0482184 endearing. His excessively beautiful face de21d1adf2 likely helped lower George’s 31d7a145f6 guard as well.f388f7de0b3403e4

Starting the car 49a60ddec0 again, George spoke 070f099f58 up. “You said you’ve been here for three weeks, right? Then guide me 8a97738819 to a decent 8b8de7c476 restaurant. I haven’t eaten anything 430699c67e yet, and I’m starving.”6afc1d0acc695280

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🧩40addde7a1686c36

After parking on 4fb5e5cd39 a sloped street, a8567aef22 George closed the 4b16d7fb7b car door and 5013346ffd looked around. Cats were scattered throughout e30a29259b the alley, exuding a 48bcedcc63 distinctly local vibe. One lay brazenly 4f23f8f1d0 in the middle 3ed266ce70 of the street, 2185156101 forcing people to cb6b5cb16c step around it; 37697df636 another slept on 6a4578a305 a vendor’s display, caa58b1688 making it hard 5cc364f1df for customers to 84afd09196 see the goods. Moments later, a c781e238f2 cat leapt onto 0bacc8df09 the hood of 9e9e6ec1ab George’s car and e670d598ed settled in.6f6f873ffc7da36d

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“The place is this way. It’s just a 5ac770fef9 short walk,” the 3ac40fdd2b man said, a 5380397c4f smile in his 9037a6a3c2 eyes.09ddfb02d1a5059e

Since agreeing to eat 144f3d0d87 together, he’d become noticeably b17a1131c2 warmer.d1c9efd6cd302cd7

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George, without responding, put on e7d4e0262c his sunglasses and followed. The man glanced back several 8ce7589c14 times, as if checking to e3463b96f7 ensure George was keeping up.198a75169b3ba387

“Here it is. It’s really good,” 76941276ad the man said.faafb78ae36a6b1c

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Before following him into fef68531d0 the restaurant, George paused 74bae4e0fb to look up at 2359977775 the sign. A green board df53a19065 with the word b120e27a1d [BURGER] scrawled in 057e7043ab large white letters.8c4a98c04973caa8

“Ha…” George muttered, slightly frowning as he removed his sunglasses. The sign’s lackluster aesthetic screamed 6a88ab3467 cheap franchise.fbc2f1b39b7b96a8

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Honestly, it wasn’t appealing. Fast food in 1e595ace04 a place brimming 0eb6e850ee with culinary options? But the man f6b77e5f38 was already holding 4b110ca1f3 the glass door 9e15cb9b80 open, waiting for a70d666a24 George.192b3b9dc1b91d48

Reluctantly, George stepped inside.72f8ee5b9f936257

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“Hey, Emma,” the man greeted.0a1124c18852c891

“Rose!” the female cashier replied.516dc47a94689c40

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The man exchanged 4ad77ff8c6 cheek kisses with 13ee77cac2 the cashier, whose f6f1a860d0 face lit up b52d3e8c52 as if she’d ef6752d0e2 tasted a sweet 907dd4ee75 dessert. Only three weeks in Marrakesh, e31345b9a7 and he was already this c8b85c3fbf close with a pretty cashier? George revised one assumption about 10c423661d him.bf1dcb2789b9d440

Not unsociable (X)3ceaaceacde227fa

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Only unsociable with him (O)37f331ef49a99bff

Standing behind the 83275a9361 two as they e7445339ae chatted, George quietly 537d3c9f9e surveyed the place. It felt older than expected. Potted plants were tastefully 9baebd46ba arranged, and a simple f55cd64fb8 menu board on the 424a2e139f wall featured playful illustrations. Tucking his sunglasses 4c2d4986f0 into his front 9d03e43a89 pocket, George studied 355b096039 the menu.fdbe6a985e179bf3

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“It’s delicious here. Everyone comes here when they bbd0ba6661 want a proper burger,” the 7dd919dc61 man said, turning to George d4334ab49b with a small smile, his 4eb47b1378 earlier tension eased.92a3b312d5d7bccc

“Want me to recommend something?” he offered.5ecf6bc1697f36cb

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“Sure, go for it,” George replied.47d6b2b52cb1a455

“And I’ll pay,” the man added.c47b899b9b1e0d12

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George, already pulling out 8010082176 his wallet, ignored him efdeac50f7 and reached for his 238edc75bf card. But the man stood 88087bf095 firm at the counter, 36dd9fdc51 refusing to budge.873d07acb50511f3

Before George could react, the e296786df8 cashier swiftly grabbed the man’s b802257f26 card. George turned away with a 2279d161b6 grimace, reluctantly finding a seat d4a99d5609 by the window to wait edb5815750 for the man to finish e7dd265258 ordering.63f27eecb73b798a

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“Quick, huh?” George said, glancing up from the window as the chair scraped across the floor.a0539e8ac67344b9

The man had fb86077f3e already placed a 24ca86e3e5 large tray on 7167458d46 the table, loaded 239e974a9d with freshly fried 1ba89f6267 fries piled high, 0dc753cdfc onion soup, a 9b5f78a6f9 milkshake, and burgers. The patties sandwiched between fa945b1af7 the buns looked particularly 32ca38aa67 hearty.611f4e673079199f

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“Let’s eat,” the man said, holding his burger but waiting, staring at George until he took a bite.cdaa5012a266b8e6

The moment George bit into 3b7b12fd9e the burger, he instinctively looked ced4287eda at the man. The bun’s crispy exterior gave d9c3f0bc60 way to a soft interior, 649fa1e841 and the fresh patty oozed 4809229ee6 juices. It was so good that f4048f075a he forgot his earlier complaints c632da8ecf about fast food.79e3c5306a334490

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“Tasty?” the man asked.c5fda8d68b2ef00a

George nodded. The man’s face broke 84dd1e3571 into a wide smile, 67142e5dde his eyes crinkling dramatically. The curve of his eyes 0b0cccde23 was so striking it kept 032620d880 drawing George’s attention.d852cfd88f271f55

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“Hmm… it’s good. I’m usually not 60340820e6 impressed by burgers,” 13f6193b4c George said, wiping 161a10836a his hands and 6002f0ee56 finally tearing his 1e59118973 eyes away.6404839929db4b6a

“Really?” the man asked, still smiling.97aeef8c3b306b84

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“Back home, we take pride in our refrigerated patties,” George said, half-joking.d4fc33e5fc2f478e

“…”b5c869d78d30a24f

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The man didn’t respond, 0107912a0d and George inwardly sighed, 1e7817ef5e thinking their sense of 929069c389 humor clearly didn’t align.33a4d6d26bafbf00

As he chewed ea160403f7 his burger silently, 659a8b23fb George took another 00ef5b27df good look at 05cecd926e the man.18888c09a253e5db

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Even on second glance, fbbe3b2f98 it was a face 1927d6bfe6 too beautiful to be 973de02785 wasted on him. George thought he’d seen plenty 3db4b9333c of attractive people, but this 01d97ed4d6 man’s appearance and aura were afecf6afd3 on another level. Beingthisstunning could almost be a 680432e4cc liability—too perfect to not cause 5e88b0719c inconvenience. His features were da415b9f6e flawless, from their c8543b2ca2 delicate structure to 9516550ab0 the proportions of 278dfadead his face, neckline, af57953548 and broad shoulders, 50fb2929c5 as if sculpted 4958d4217a by a master 6492de9dae artist.fc4d1ad950ace489

And, though it might be 8b17d3a037 rude to say to a 0f64ae7163 stranger… he looked like someone 820423f86b destined to live off a 395c9bc96d woman’s wealth. Like the lover cbae0cce35 of a rich 221d7e33ea heiress, living lavishly 2297c6dd61 on her dime, 8f04f3035c only to be 9023dc92d9 snapped by paparazzi 475e0218f4 and rocket to 3b912b57ef fame, starting a 9a88c41cf0 celebrity career in 1ab0c87756 Hollywood.78033247a5616547

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The man exuded cb332845d6 that kind of 3e9a04ebcb allure. Contrary to his reserved d679f1b009 first impression, once he 21edb9a3a4 smiled, it lingered. His melancholic eyes turned 2b8bea205b unexpectedly kind when he 64346f952f smiled. If George were a woman, 2136e5b2e3 he doubted he could let bc5277af03 someone like this go easily.0545c04dabfb06dd

Those radiant blond locks, 9d34937a28 gentle eyes, and the 883de89c09 slightly parted lips when 53f4fd5ceb he smiled.633e4f2a7c55d0ea

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He reminded George of someone…6991b0a73cc89c02

The name of the lookalike 522df2679e floated just out of reach 045b977b79 in his mind. Lost in thought, George tossed 0a2f9e85f9 out casually, “Is your name 5520fe6f49 Rose?”faf93ce1816b9b43

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“Huh?” the man replied.d940c29d7ba5f97c

“That’s what she called you earlier,” George said, nodding toward the cashier who’d hugged him.60a51971cf70d517

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The man—Rose—hesitated oddly, as d61f9eeecb if embarrassed by his 8db0947132 own name.0632234ed185c3ef

“Yeah…” he mumbled.4ea7e2305fcf5611

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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 6453e620e8 words left him c0c1c4662b speechless.6a14e1b9b2f9bde5

“My full name is Rose—Murno Inyas.”85c641ddbbbcab2d

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“…”f698fc0122b405cf

“Really think it’s a nice name?” Rose asked again.95252dda8e4ed8e7

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George cleared his throat.e1076f36bcd9c0b4

Rose—Murno Inyas. Every syllable of that c71950e075 name was achingly sweet. But it was also the acfececbed kind of name ripe for 67cd3dcb05 teasing. Rose Murno? Honestly, searching that name 4fa356ad5f online would probably yield a566bfebe9 a slew of strippers. It was that 6bc4d58559 bold and distinctive.dc710a79e5514928

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‘…And he looks like her.’e4a7b5f15ebfee6f

The lookalike George had e297cc6947 been trying to place 58c9871046 was none other than 56d4bf91cc Marilyn Monroe. Specifically, the warm, approachable 9ed3fc259b vibe of her smiling 2d05ad1be7 eyes. And those full, sensual 8b46460e11 lips when she grinned.f88f8e052a61d2fb

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Anyone hearing Rose’s name 65ae681e46 would instantly think of a25270817e that Hollywood icon.4a2aaf89b09440e0

Rose seemed to 3338e291b7 know it too, ec285958c6 mumbling “Murno” quietly, a14557e1aa as if to 0890fcc18d downplay it. But with his face, 11ab466ad1 the name suited him 0407460276 perfectly. George could understand why 5078043d1c his parents chose it.62e753ffd20990ce

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He finally answered Rose, who 7db91e4e54 was still waiting. “Yeah, it’s nice. Fits you perfectly.”83ea547e557a04bb

“…”77204abfe717fe0b

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“Your parents must’ve thought their baby was gorgeous.”dcc066860e4c31bd

Rose lowered his eyes c6f692815c without responding, his reaction a6428a4991 ambiguous. George, now used to 54514117ba getting only one or d29e526cdf two responses for every ccec0cdf0f ten things he said, 384d40b38e didn’t mind whether Rose 2b8a9be74c answered or not.b9fe34ac083b465e

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“Now that I think about it, your car was covered in rose petals…” George muttered to himself.fa600ddc926e321b

Rose suddenly asked, 088149b5f5 “What’s your name?”415c21c685278eaf

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“Huh?”17596ffe5bce5ca1

“Your name. We haven’t properly introduced ourselves.”3e36ec183e9f8518

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“…”4940c6881b5440e3

“It’s… polite to exchange names first, right?”f4f353754c67b656

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Rose, still looking down, rubbed 989d923278 the back of his neck. He seemed oddly 895a128639 shy just asking ce414615fe for a name, f912bf0ba3 almost as if 99156a6724 he were blaming af087491ae George for not 29edb6f63e initiating.59fd3cd709600e0e

‘He’s more perceptive than I thought,’ George mused.e776f5ada621c3c1

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Fair enough. George had assumed this 4cff60ae60 would be a one-time 3b42b944ab encounter.34ffdcbf45749122

His real name, c16f0ec6c6 Karel Klements, was ec3280907e too well-known, even ea087687a4 on another continent. He was reluctant to reveal 8c86200d92 it.510d840774db068e

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Sipping his milkshake, George b55331f2c5 replied, “Levin.”7475a8a82b4697a6

Rose looked up abruptly. “Levin?”373e77dd6cc4ea02

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“Yeah, Levin.”90cbda97f062dfdd

George nodded.94ffaaf92aa70703

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‘I’ll have to thank Levin later. Sorry for borrowing your name.’e26060eb595e8b4e

Rose asked again, bb72d69237 “You said you’re 40daa7d82b American, right?”12af97878fdd0c11

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“Yeah. Austrian-American. Immigrated as a kid.”305241a8588ae3ac

“I know a bit of German,” Rose said.96499cc75bf8842d

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“Really?”2caa7cd60b79113b

“Yeah, I learned it for someone I liked.”0f5c8ce32646a6e4

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But despite his confidence, 07628209c5 Rose’s German was abysmal, 88fb8d1a5d barely kindergarten-level. George didn’t call it 5dd27b6c93 out, just corrected his 94f2107d4e pronunciation gently. Rose repeated the cb31495d21 corrections, rolling the f57788bbda words in his c84e787174 mouth.9e009d76a40bc1c9

Meanwhile, George finished his onion 2dcdf15aaf soup and sipped his soda, ff14c0fc4a waiting for Rose to finish df566d56de eating. Checking his watch, he realized ec8da7c095 they’d only been there for 07a9b0326f twenty minutes—meaning he’d devoured his cc3c479e72 burger in under ten.126359ebbd959ef4

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Rose, on the other bd9fbaee32 hand, was only halfway d904055438 through his. George said, halfheartedly, “Take your dbbc708ba3 time.”04e014e312a33e7f

“Yeah…” Rose replied, setting down his half-eaten burger and starting on the onion soup daintily.62374a7cca3cac95

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As Rose ate, George 3b9e59d253 leaned an arm on 3ac01e39da his chair and gazed 3000a3d6fb out the window. Rose asked a few more c55fa02031 questions.03fcb5ff1aa9624f

“Vacation… alone?”e3583d2ecc3701d4

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“Yeah, alone.”03674c9a0018ce9f

“Why alone? Where’s your partner?”e8ea17138607a86a

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Pretty personal questions. George countered, “What about you?”81ea0b629890885e

“You don’t always have to travel with someone,” Rose replied.801be5e41f402098

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“Same here.”cfe2327f9024f31e

As Rose neared d4896d7290 the end of 4272d40a1b his meal, George e31bf0755c deliberately rattled his e949a545fa tray to signal 0449ef5524 it was time 7039d0beb1 to go. Rose, taking the hint, 5526ad6a8c began clearing his own e06cb135bc tray.56021a53d1f3605c

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“Thanks for the meal,” George said.f8978014e3023034

“Glad you enjoyed it…”76c7b50c036ac11e

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“Didn’t expect much, but it was really good. Might come back while 77a0e4c3bf I’m in Marrakesh.”284da95025ffc6a8

“Alone?” Rose asked.1f94269a3e794fa8

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“Yeah. Who else?”4d6a6811ca73f7fd

Rose fell silent 964a6b79b4 again, then asked cd29b59fdd something out of 5a404ae9c3 context. “Leaving already?”c745cd27b82dbcfb

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“I’m tired from all the driving. Need to rest.”f8620987793d453f

“Oh… tired… yeah, then… home.”ecd204d2e752fa8f

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Following George with 555adb749b his tray, Rose f5cd7d05e8 tripped over a f97aae7f45 chair, making a e1f5fbcaf6 clattering noise. George glanced back at him, 74bdd8db82 noting his flustered demeanor. Rose gathered himself, 500cf5e8de head lowered, and 74f6ba5b6c shuffled after him. He took an agonizingly long 0c51cd3a66 time sorting the trash and ed71e929e4 wiping his hands with a 1796678d84 tissue. Growing impatient, George silently 0711299852 opened the door and 03dd71d95f stepped out. Rose, tossing the tissue, 950abc25e4 hurriedly followed.868fc0f29c869e97

Rose was clearly stalling. Maybe he wanted to do cbc5b12e6c more to thank George, or c7becb6a74 perhaps, having paid for the b753a7aedc meal, he hoped for a 3c801ac53c drink in return. He seemed uncertain, 6d7a377ee8 caught in some f113d1a958 internal confusion.b5b545c474e7d04c

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George, exercising a 61dddd5f2e bit of patience, db9c37229c gave him a 5e9c12777a chance to speak. But Rose remained silent.2a018f3774b4044a

“Well, then,” George said, offering a light nod as a farewell.b123b7c49ee08726

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Rose still looked slightly bewildered.e5f9bc4f3899d150

Returning to his car wasn’t 81479601a7 hard. In the alley, his 785039b02a classic car waited patiently b3a2422811 for its owner.a0c6e069fcbb4e1f

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“Even here, huh,” George said, picking up a rose petal caught in the windshield wiper. It must’ve flown 2d7b5b8f09 off the other 09b4ef88ff car during the bf69e1d231 drive. The petal, deep red on 714f2703fe the outside and white within, e508cf29ee was soft to the touch. Bringing it to 38abf5d1b2 his nose, he 731685a943 caught the wild 57b3038bf9 scent of a 8923e82515 fresh rose.6ba83e0bdb38faab

“Levin!” Rose called out several times before George realized he was addressing him.00f39ecef6f5e32d

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Turning, he saw Rose, his 54c8812d5a blond hair tousled by the f805c27336 wind, staring at him.3ccaca2e7ca79e0f

“You didn’t leave?” George asked.b529168d43af2c48

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“If you… want to go somewhere during your vacation, or need restaurant recommendations…”9f3766fae66a8b04

“Huh?”3a97b4eade320118

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“I can help. I owe you…”89cb551d90e72f0f

Seeing Rose’s flustered face, having 8671a208eb chased after him, George burst cdd790f384 out laughing. What was so funny? His earnest awkwardness, 3e5b7b569e so at odds 92b278698e with his stunning 6a8e8802b6 looks?6d512a9e13f853b3

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Rose looked at the db1e4ea5ba amused George with a 4125f76a16 puzzled expression. George, reining in c98ea9037a his laughter, continued, 5aedcf49dc “You were really 0901a3170a shaken up about 37af7a7027 the car, huh? It’s fine. Giving you a 93bf05f8d9 ride wasn’t a 72cc0e0e59 big deal.”db0dac04706d7554

He placed a hand 8cb954f563 on Rose’s shoulder, startled 66d3ca3866 by the dense, solid 89d5869705 muscle—it almost felt like 360f7379ed bone.f9f2c900d33a2d19

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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.17735c79d255558a

“The meal was satisfying. That’s thanks enough.”29091b845c163e57

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“Oh…” Rose mumbled.82f38501a980ec35

George climbed into 3cb218e921 the driver’s seat, bb309ee5c3 smoothly reversing the 36acb0c6ec car. He gave a nod to cc51713319 the still-standing, golden-haired figure.58150004e8e1b604

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“See you.”049c3eac755d5187

But as the engine roared ab58ac72f1 and the wheels began to ccc41d71c7 roll, Rose darted in front f4ede38fdd of the car.6f4df959cb10ac69

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Screech!40b9db1458a286d9

George slammed the 68c2afb9ee brakes, stopping just 2b9de273e4 short of Rose. Heart pounding—a rare occurrence 844b0e5462 for him—he stared ahead, 6dc48e351c wide-eyed.1843d96fd1b52cc9

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“What the hell…!” he exclaimed.4159d74d1ce8e2ec

Unlike the startled George, a6f2235971 Rose wore a blank 8c40e529d2 expression, seemingly unaware of afad5af6af his reckless action. He glanced at his hands 2166822588 gripping the hood, then at 519491afb4 George, and muttered dazedly, “I c479a2a979 don’t know why I did fdeeff1c4f that…”8f81f35ed64c0a9f

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“Ha,” George let out a short, incredulous breath.bfbce276b207689c

If the guy himself didn’t da3f20de3f know why he did something 6da396571b so crazy, who would?18858ffd0b4a4928

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“Hoo…” George sighed deeply, reversing the car back into its parking spot. He turned off 7ee50ad9d3 the engine and 9896562346 beckoned Rose, who c1cf14d904 approached awkwardly.b50b918d94e941a7

“Did I drop something?” George asked.a85a65041cd8b062

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“No,” Rose replied.3eeb0eb5d06545f1

“Or did I accidentally put your wallet in my pocket and walk off with it?”70143a99db4e74b9

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“No…”3b167991f0a5d32c

“Then why are you acting like this?”3c9ce8282417fd1b

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Rose fell silent. Meeting George’s steady gaze, 1f8a5edc20 he ventured, “Is it f83ae6e6f3 because you don’t want 428bf0a1e9 to part ways just 2bac80a192 yet? If that’s the case…”c9be777642408ac1

Rose nodded slowly. George let out a bd9fd79163 soft sigh.f49b5e162f8c5497

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“Are you interested in me?” George asked, shaking off the faint frustration he’d been feeling.74293e10955d4f85

He’d sensed something since dropping a3fab40cb1 Rose off at the hostel, 601efbfa35 when Rose lingered in the 83d2df1e29 car, hesitant to get out. It was a vibe of b9fe1200b6 yearning mixed with passivity.bc830292cee326be

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By now, George’s suspicions were 8a26b7b012 taking clearer shape.0353ffd16fe53500

He was remarkably b8fa6a92cd adept at noticing 5ac69feb1d when someone crossed 80aec7ae4f a personal boundary. But this time, 63e9332e2f because the other 27b0824136 person was a 8ce4751ebb man, it took 105fbea426 him longer to f041fd3179 catch on. It had been nearly a13be4456b eight years since he’d 9dd09f14ca last been with a 9a57a46401 man, and that part 42d7f04eef of his instincts had acbdf14dee been dormant for so fbb4ab9c35 long, it might’ve dulled.cba7ada51ecf5b14

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Now that he’d noticed, the e5b50761a5 fervent gaze hidden beneath Rose’s a42ad4fc76 calm eyes felt more blatant. Of course, flirting ab79a7d9ad with someone of e7dc143f1d the same sex 9c0e9a1ea2 wasn’t exactly common, b7899ae3cd so George understood 1303057be8 why Rose hesitated f7f5ad2f77 to take a 98cd39b52a step forward.7be03711332e9f70

Still, if he 9a74b600c3 had something to d8646a635e say, he should 9800034985 just say it. Be a man about it.381963f0480b3b6d

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“Just say it if that’s how you feel,” George pressed.62cb5a92e24b6217

“Ugh…” Rose mumbled.8df558a5b3ba7496

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“No guts, huh?”1fd5568aec02be42

George’s casual response made Rose’s 49139e02fb eyes waver as he replied, 3f67727d73 “But you’re the one who 852619f8aa kept drawing lines.”132b8417ab9cb1f9

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“Me?” George asked.9a53f4994ceeb5a7

“You’ve been in a rush to leave…”0766897897d2e1e7

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“…”a08eacc336ec5968

“You didn’t even want to tell me your name until I asked.”514bb1b5039865ea

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George furrowed his brow slightly. Thinking it over, he hadn’t f2e550b3bf shared personal details, but he’d 9441c625c7 been plenty friendly. If anything, it was 0b2725b770 Rose who’d been so 04104f02d9 reserved that their conversations febadcb923 kept stalling.8f0e450d16a1ec28

“I answered everything you asked,” George said, letting out a short sigh.24f25dce287e62fc

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Rose just kept staring 301d5b8649 at him silently.007b914d895c5559

What to do?4fb7273b2ee4c624

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George rubbed his mouth 59257f5303 slowly, scanning Rose’s face 1268edfba5 and body once more. This time, he looked 280293f435 at him with a cc171f4ccc different perspective, assessing whether 23b1e0cb34 he felt any desire.7adf1512c026668f

Rose’s large build and 59416200cf less-than-cute personality were definitely fc9703ab36 outside George’s usual type. But that stunning face 20031c591b and blond hair transcended 5a13185c4e both preference and gender, aecbd54248 making the prospect seem 1a16b8cd16 worth exploring.f51dbb9650e7c6ab

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“So, do you want to keep hanging out with me?” George asked.980adb6133170d80

“…”081df319df43f708

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“Answer now, or I’ll walk away clean.”8b0c06c62a71a7c2

“…What happens if we spend more time together?” Rose asked.0d9bd34e3938cd84

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George shrugged. “That’s up to you.”8e828b8da5a77196

Honestly, George wasn’t c0895bef2e entirely sure what 1f0ce2f463 kind of interest 46d04367c3 Rose had in 819711bb25 him. Was it just curiosity 06365b738a about a kind stranger, a1dcc61e3b or had he played 430d5ffd89 around with women enough 4753a780cd and now wanted to 1127e4176d explore men?f2458c5db7d75bc6

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Or maybe he was a 53b95c75e9 calculated hustler targeting wealthy travelers.f999bcf2954a759b

Not that it 0218ea0ca6 mattered if Rose 1cc34bed2c was a con d51316d6aa artist using his 88df3e0aa1 looks as bait. George wasn’t exactly an easy 1ea8f1dfdd mark.fc5b78c11e11e27c

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So, he decided to 0daabc7d3e simplify Rose’s dilemma.57921ede7c3acd44

“If you’re attracted to me, just say so,” George said.8233c2a015e83d19

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“…”0d3a09763408b617

“I feel the same.”3992de4263a58184

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At that, Rose didn’t db75960bd3 even blink. Frozen in place, he asked, 3ad2bcd0e5 “Are you gay?”ff1787975eaf28cd

Exactly the question George had 0c37e11054 expected. Rose was easy to read 27ffe729a7 in that sense.658f05e20030d16a

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“Probably not,” George replied cleanly. He leaned far more ad1e897acc toward women, closer to b1c5db3bf4 bisexual. The few men he’d been 5090a2e811 with were all slight, delicate, a8943af0b6 and refined. Testosterone-heavy guys repelled him from bb39746003 the moment of contact.4f8785a6df6f1ccb

“Then why…?” Rose’s voice cracked slightly, sounding hoarse.20693c4cf23cb4a0

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George, leaning casually against the fbe3949d35 window, answered naturally, “Guess I’m 924d614766 a little smitten.”1ffdd378349da3ef

“…”810f1a21b1103c04

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Unable to find a f06233c95e response, Rose’s lips moved 3435f2ca91 silently before he closed 03756534a2 his mouth.1b017674e35d860b

The shock of seeing that 8fd6825b0f striking face when the car caa2571b66 window first rolled down, the a0cf3c6a7f unease in his gut from 2124cd8457 Rose’s overwhelming allure, and yet c4c49e65ad the impulsive offer to give 3356db87bf him a ride—all of it 73a7f27108 stemmed from a spark of 78a2cd708b interest. George acknowledged the curiosity b345a49f9c and impulse that had 245bfa2ace been dormant on the 77ede529c5 other side of his e0c005c60f consciousness.8f112b39701537ca

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Of course, there were still 3bc26a1627 some reservations…268abf9a9d070728

George pictured taking Rose a0ae670e93 to bed, wondering if 66056d2d2c he’d actually want to 28bb79073f hold the man in 6614e1499a front of him. Like a pelican 10bb7043d6 opening its beak 4802b31b83 wide to gauge 0b174687c3 if it could 8728c1cd8f swallow prey larger 499918c960 than itself.b149e7d1690da7cd

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‘If it doesn’t work out, I’ll figure it out then.’2325776e253068c7

By thirty-three, you learn d82f241520 that trying something is 6329906ffc less of a waste 50f7383074 of time than overthinking da6813674c it. Besides, George was b920fbe0bd starting to grow 9dc15c329f bored of his 0ac4f0ee97 solitary vacation.7604d43a9ffdfba7

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A foreign destination, fd9f5bfefe a time-limited encounter, 7c4a2af931 a connection that e78c5f2af8 wouldn’t entangle them a9e6b549c5 later even if 049e00742d things went wrong.573b22914fdeaadf

Above all, that stunning blond 7dce385f99 hair captivated him. If Rose allowed it, George da687bd9de could spend all day running edfaed43c8 his fingers through it.aab3b11f7a4e0903

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“Can I touch your hair?” George asked.29eb052ca1a5acba

Rose, who had ccec6b4d91 been staring intently, b5ed7c3c51 obediently and very b9f6d410c5 slowly leaned forward. George reached out, 62816df0b2 brushing the back 6b6292e9a9 of his hand a9f2b64023 against Rose’s soft, d2a47c48d1 fine hair. The texture made George’s 1323814074 lips curl into a e9e36d8918 crooked smile—a genuine reaction 8ce114082f he wasn’t fully aware 2f271b6e12 of.4f2a54e7e47f8680

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“Best I’ve ever felt,” he said.e64b1a5a97eef389

Even at the heartfelt compliment, 0effd192a9 Rose said nothing, just meeting 9dd1d5c763 George’s gaze steadily.c78cb6d673024c02

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