"Nah, it's okay, keep me guessing." He sighed dramatically. He had heard her alright. It was just some kind of defense mechanism, making that joke. And anyway, she'd sort of made it a habit about making him feel dirty, so of course that was the thing he was going to latch onto. It wasn't completely his fault that he'd paid attention to that metaphor.
"It was a joke." Aaron insisted, sitting back in the seat again, "I heard you. You obviously recognize that whole business was my fault. So let me feel responsible, okay? I'm sorry I got under your skin and got your purse stolen. Now you've ridden the subway, and your life is complete. I proved you wrong, from now on I can leave you alone."