I knew her, before.

( he picks over his words carefully, mindful. his fingers curl around the glass. )

She was the one that talked me into it. ( rather deftly, considering. in retrospect he wonders if she hadn't seen a chance to simply make use of him, had exploited his particular affection for her, but then brushes the thought aside. it hardly matters now. ) I would likely not have found someone in time, otherwise.