Well, you can con people into thinking you're pretty decent, unless they see you hanging out with me too much.

( It's a flattering shade of self-mockery that Ellie is sporting, today. )

And if they thought we were dating, that's it. Any good things you had going around here would go south, right away.

( Light and airy, but maybe she wonders sometimes if that's true. If things would be smoother for people if she weren't around. She can recognise the good she does, but she knows she's bloody difficult to get along with. In the meantime, though, she's going to hold the door open for Steph and tilt her head to usher her into the cafe. )