Mort nodded. "I can understand that. I actually didn't date again until James, and for the first... what, ten years I knew him, I didn't consider us dating." He chuckled. Well, except...

Fuck it. If he was going to have this conversation, why the hell not. "Well - didn't date, date," he said, pulling a wry face. "I let my Army buddies drag me along to a brothel one time over in the Gulf. Desert Storm," he added, nodding at his bad leg. "Figured I should give it a shot when I was, you know, ready for it. I don't think that counts as dating, exactly, but... God." He reached out to pat Aaron's hand, paused and waited for Aaron to nod first. "I suspect I know pretty much how you feel, Aaron. Not fun."