Nina's direct exclusivity question remained between three slowly cooling cups of mint tea. Thea kept both hands around hers, then checked whether Nina wanted a direct answer or the reasoning first.
"Direct answer," Nina replied, refusing suspense as emotional protection.
"No, I do not want Kofi exclusively now or as the price of becoming serious," Thea said, facing Nina rather than using me as the destination.
Visible relief changed Nina's shoulders before her careful expression could hide the reaction. It lasted beside new tension, proving the answer removed one fear while making another possibility more real.
"Thank you for saying it directly," Nina replied, then asked what Thea wanted instead.
Thea wanted reliability, one protected evening that belonged toward their separate connection, plus disclosure before choices affected another person's health or agreement. She did not want equal minutes, automatic group inclusion, or authority over Nina's relationship.
