[ Bastien begins to nod, then gives a hedging head wobble instead. ]

I could have been less of a dick about it. But that is the only part I regret. I did like it—you know I like it. Having lie-ins and eating toast and reading. But that is all he wanted.

[ And it’s only half of what Bastien wants. He nudges By, who is funnier and sweeter, but who’s also exciting, mischievous, adventurous, restless, endlessly reaching. Who knows what it’s like to be hungry. ]

He never would have broken into a house with me.