Neil keeps his eye on Rosie, watching her boy speak and flirt, and he is very mindful of the way that he passes her her drink from the bartender. He's had a bad experience at this bar--something he deliberately didn't mention when they were going out, and that he doesn't like talking about anyway.

His boy, Benji, notices him looking and leans in rather conspiratorially. Neil likes that, the note of gossip, and he smiles even before Benji speaks.

"Mark's harmless," he says, and Neil nods a little. All men seem harmless, until they don't. And Rosie is awfully young. Benji puts a hand on his wrist, just briefly, with such a shy look that Neil has to smile at him.

"She's a nice girl," Neil says, rather loud enough for Rosie to hear if she's listening. "She's one of my best friends. I have to be protective."

"That's good of you."