Letter Regarding Chris Vernita (01/30/1993) & Chris (02/01/1976) I’m writing this to make sense of what’s been unfolding between me and Chris. Chris and I met under everyday circumstances, but - question #6817

what grew between us has been anything but ordinary. I was born on January 30, 1993. He was born on February 1, 1976. From the beginning, there was undeniable chemistry—something powerful, magnetic, and confusing. We told ourselves and each other that love and jealousy weren’t allowed, but we slipped into both. He said he doesn’t get jealous anymore, but I’ve seen the cracks in that mask. I remember his monologue about my boyfriend’s schedule—how specific he got. He tries to play it cool, but I see the way he calculates things. I feel it when he pulls me close, even when he's trying not to feel anything himself. There was a time he told me he got off to me 7 or 8 times before we ever even slept together. A psychic once told me he’s sexually obsessed with me—and honestly, I believe it. Every time he's here, he acts like he’s just coming for fun, but it's always intense.Always personal. Always leaves a mark. He’s careful about how often he comes around—once a month, never randomly—and it feels like restraint, not disinterest. Last time he was here, he kissed me on the cheek as he was leaving and smiled. That small gesture echoed louder than anything he’s said lately. I found something online about how emotionally unavailable men use cheek kisses to show affection without getting vulnerable—and it made too much sense. He wants to care. He does care. But he's scared. We have fun. He enjoys himself. And whether he knows it or not, I’ve been teaching him how to be boyfriend material without even trying. Still, I’m overwhelmed. I have a boyfriend. Sievon he was born February 23 1995. He talks about how we used to be so sexually connected and now we’re not. Meanwhile, Chris shows up quietly, takes what he wants, and leaves me reeling. I want to pull away from Chris sometimes, but then he gets close—too close. He’s not just in my bed—he’s under my skin. And I don’t know what he feels, but it’s loud. Loud enough that my boyfriend suspected something from day one. So I ask for clarity. For truth. Because even if Chris and I don’t say it, the tension between us is undeniable. And maybe… just maybe… it’s love in disguise. – Vernita