[He was impressed by how smooth she was, but it only made him more worried about the kind of skills in the art of deception that she had. Neal also knew that flirting was one thing, but sleeping together took away all the mystery and he wasn't interested in a girlfriend; he still planned on getting back to Kate. But that was no reason he couldn't have fun and make friends.

In response to her remark about comparisons, he only gave a light shrug. After all, it was part of the game not to reveal the truth from the lies, but Neal suspected Vala would be better than the woman he had kissed in Budapest.]

I prefer my intimacy to remain intimate. [He stated as if it was a response on its own, then continued.] I love Saturday morning cartoons and I once sliced open my thumb carving my name into a tree.