Neil moves in the opposite direction that Alex intended. For the second time in this conversation, Alex stops, surprised, blinking at Neil. The teasing, the baiting, the innuendo he had intended for the subject dies instantly, and instead he furrows his brows, lifts a hand to touch Neil's face.

"I meant to ask you this," Alex starts. "But now is as good a time as any, I guess. I had wanted to ask you about that. You trusting me."