Ron’s hands continued their slow, steady movement along her neck, his thumbs pressing just enough to make her breathe a little deeper.
"You’re starting to relax," he said quietly.
Lisa let out a soft exhale. "A little… yeah."
There was a pause. His hands didn’t stop.
Then, casually—almost too casually—he asked:
"You have a boyfriend?"
The question caught her off guard.
Her eyes opened slightly, even though she still couldn’t see him behind her.
"No," she said after a moment. "I don’t."
Ron didn’t react right away. His fingers shifted slightly, tracing a slower line along the side of her neck.
"No?" he repeated. "Not even someone you’re… seeing?"
Lisa shook her head faintly. "No."
Another quiet pause.
"You’re selective," he said.
"I guess," she replied, a little unsure how to take that.
His hands moved again, a bit lower, then back up, as if learning the tension in her body.
"And Jane?" he continued. "She never tried to set you up with anyone?"
Lisa gave a small, almost nervous smile. "She tried. A few times."
"And?"
"I didn’t like them."
Ron let out a faint breath that could have been a quiet chuckle.
"Makes sense."
Lisa frowned slightly. "What does that mean?"
"It means," he said, his voice calm and low, "you don’t seem like someone who settles just to avoid being alone."
The words lingered.
Lisa didn’t answer right away.
His hands slowed, then paused for just a second at the base of her neck.
Then he asked, more directly:
"So… no boyfriend. No distractions."
Lisa felt her heartbeat pick up again.
"I guess not," she said softly.
Another pause.
Then his voice, quieter now.
"Have you ever been with anyone?"
Lisa froze for a second.
Her fingers tightened slightly on her lap.
She could feel the weight of the question… and the closeness behind her.
"No…" she admitted.
Silence.
Not empty this time—heavy.
Ron didn’t move his hands right away.
When he did, the touch felt a little more deliberate now. Slower.
"You mean… not seriously?" he clarified calmly.
Lisa swallowed.
"I mean… not at all."
The room seemed to shrink around them.
Ron exhaled slowly.
"That’s rare," he said.
Lisa shifted slightly in her seat, suddenly very aware of herself again.
"I just never… felt ready," she said quietly.
His hands eased the tension at the base of her neck again, almost soothing.
"Or never met the right person?" he asked.
Lisa didn’t answer immediately.
"Maybe both."
Another pause.
Then, softer:
"So… yeah. I’m a virgin."
The word hung in the air.
Ron didn’t respond right away.
But his hands didn’t stop either.
And somehow, that silence felt louder than anything he could have said.