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and we spent the night together. Richard put a fair

which I declined. My fifteen-minute estimate was almost on target:

you shouldn't tone yourself down!"" said Mr. Ambition. ""It makes you attractive....

I wondered why I was still talking to a guy who'd just said

his words sent an icy spike straight through me. ""I don't think

I don't think men really want to date women as smart as they are.""

where you come across as kind of a hardass....

even though I hadn't made any accusations. ""Then

and I wanted to say something that would comfort him. I

I added. ""I really wanted this to work out."" For a moment

I said. ""Um. Is there anything else you want to talk about?""

manipulative pickup artist terminology and tactics

it's always men who seem certain that make me

Mr. Ambition mentioned something about enjoying drama. I was with my

later: ""Mr. Ambition says he wants me to take him on an

Mr. Ambition sighed in an offhand way. He seemed tired

but usually I don't. Perhaps this state is what they call maturity.

I recognize the omens even as they're happening... and sometimes I

I often look back on my relationships and pick out foreshadowing: the

reminding me of who I wanted to be. Maybe I protect myself better