Re: coffee: sam & neil
"You'll accept?" He smiled, amused. But he appreciated that she understood how he was, that passionate wasn't really a word used to describe himself. Maybe saying he liked control was a little misleading, and his smile said as much; it was only the tiniest bit sheepish. "Not my thing. I mean that I like... not having to answer to anyone," he explained, which was probably a better way to word it. Too late he realized that she was teasing, and he probably hadn't needed to give a serious answer; oh, well. "Art. I never thought of it like that." He was more focused on the end result, on the success, than anything being beautiful, but maybe the feelings were the same. Talking about Meredith, especially how they'd gotten together, made him hesitant, because he wasn't sure that was something exes really needed to discuss with each other. Though, she'd asked. "Different because I'd gotten help," he said. "I was going to meetings. Seeing a therapist. I didn't feel like... I would be dragging someone down by becoming involved with them." He looked down at the table and shrugged.
No matter how good Louis looked, he knew he needed that thing out of him to truly be free. To get out of that damned basement. Neil had seen him, he knew he was alive, but he wanted more. He wanted his brother to have his life back. "I heard about Lin and Daniel's troubles," he said; he'd never liked Daniel, and he never would. That was apparent. "How Daniel left. All of that." As for the... open relationship stuff, it reminded him of what he'd talked about with Lin. And no, he doubted Meredith would be very soothed by that. Cris-- he was surprised that Cris wasn't bothered by it. "No. Probably not." He smiled a little, to take some of the seriousness away.
Oh, he could tell she was entertained. All the while, during his little act with the manager, he knew. The man seemed placated, however, especially when Neil put down the cash for the coffee and left a very generous tip; people always liked that. He tried not to smile at the innocent expression she gave the manager, and he let her tug him toward the door without hesitation. "I am," he admitted with a grin. "My life here has its perks." He pushed open the door and held it for her. "After you."