she could n't afford to get tangled in a relationship right now , maybe not ever-for her sake , and for his . he watched me chew with seemingly greater interest than the activity deserved . i could n't believe i got a compliment out of her . she hands her present to me , very neatly and carefully wrapped as always . the hell of it was , he had n't needed to . `` that would have been a new experience for me . '' `` even if that is the case , you 're still my only lead . '' 