The joke helped ease the sudden tension, but her mind was still reeling with the dangerous revelations. Sex wax one of — if not her favorite — things to do. To never experience that again outside of marriage was an insane concept, one she would likely grapple with for months to come.

Rather than continue on trying to explain her racing thoughts to him, Jo laughed and turned her cool blue eyes back to him. "Considering you're the first person — man or woman — to see me undressed and didn't follow it up with some move for more, yes Alfred. I'd say you're special." The attraction she felt towards him still lingered beneath the surface, but it wasn't what she wanted from him. Maybe it was that first afternoon as he showed her his tattoos, but not anymore. He was special, a dear friend she could exist as herself with.

"I'm glad you didn't die." She added quietly, unsure if he would ever be ready to share what happened with her.