==Elliot==
---
"Meaning we might need to be discreet. Just for a few weeks."
She went rigid in my arms.
"Discreet."
"Just until the grant interview is over. The committee is conservative. They'll scrutinize everything."
"So you want to hide this. Hide me."
"That's not what I said."
"It's what you meant."
She pulled away. Sat up.
"Delilah."
"First my mother threatens to expose us. Now you want to keep us secret. Great."
"It's not the same thing."
"Isn't it? You're ashamed of me."
"I'm not ashamed. I'm protecting both of us. Your reputation too."
She was quiet. Processing.
"How discreet?" she asked.
"No public dates. No posting about us. Just. Careful."
"For three weeks?"
"Yes."
Long pause. Then.
"Fine. We can be discreet."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. But after three weeks. No more
