Chapter 12

"Dorothy, I… Ah, I should watch my mouth. Dorothy… just hit me."

My messy explanation was probably making things worse.

I wasn't as smooth as Tiffany, yet here I was, trying to be like her and flirting. No wonder I messed everything up. I was really mad at myself.

Looking at me, Dorothy suddenly burst out laughing.

That didn't put me at ease at all. I was still anxious and unsure because I had no idea what was going on in her head.

Awkwardly, I asked, "Dorothy, why are you laughing?"

"Nothing, I just think you're kinda cute," she replied. "Tiffany's really sharp, and Donald is super capable. But you… You're surprisingly honest." She paused, her face flushing slightly. "I'm surprised that an honest man like you would do 'that.'"

I moved closer to Dorothy and quietly said, "Dorothy, a man touching himself has nothing to do with whether he's an honest man. It's just a need—a way to release some tension. It's as normal as going to the bathroom. It gets uncomfortable if we hold it in