gino.pilotino
Hey, Gino. I was reviewing the costume party dialogue that you reported, and
I made some changes (without changing the essence of the scene).
That case is a bit different than others. He's asking Norah if her green light is still on and talks about the kiss with The-One-Who-Shouldn't-Be-Named.
There are two sentences that make that dialogue different:
"I'm not saying I want to start something with her. I hadn't even considered it, and she's not even talking to me right now."
"I just wanted to know what you thought if something came up. There was passion in that kiss on her part and if it comes up again..."
He isn't saying he's dating her. Only that something happened, and he wants to know if Norah would be bothered if it goes beyond that kiss. They don't talk about it after that conversation, so her surprise at the beach can be genuine when she learns they are in a real relationship.
Later, in conversation with Norah, this happens:
nor "Tell me about it!"
mc "I don't think that's a good idea."
nor "Why?"
mc "For the same reason I haven't told anyone what you and I have done together. What happens in a room only affects the people who are there."
mc "This situation is weird enough without going around discussing with you what I do with [imom]. Or the other way around."