QUOTE : And I was just about to say I have a boyfriend.” “I’m sure he’d understand.” Kevin flashes a conspiratorial wink Grip’s way. “I’m sure he wouldn’t.” A vein of steel runs through Grip’s good- natured response. “He doesn’t like her having dinner with other guys.” “What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him, eh?” Kevin leans forward slightly to elbow Grip’s arm. “Might get you hurt, though,” Grip says, elbowing Kevin back with a little more force. “Eh?” “Ow.” Kevin rubs his arm, frowning at the spot Grip poked roughly. This has gone on long enough. Every word out of Kevin’s mouth imperils this book deal. “Kevin, Grip is my boyfriend,” I tell him, annoyed and tired of stretching this out. Kevin’s poor jaw nearly unhinges. “Grip is your boyfriend?” Behind the designer spectacles, his eyes widen and dart between Grip and me. Grip links our fingers on the table. “As fuck would have it, yup.” Grip raises our hands to his lips, kissing my fingers, but keeps his eyes trained on Kevin.