Yesterday, Barack Obama denied to reporters that he had, as had been previously reported, an e-mail relationship with the actress Scarlett Johansson. "You'd imagine that someone like the senator who is constantly traveling and constantly 'on' — how can he return these personal e-mails?" the movie star told the Website Politico a couple of weeks ago. "But he does."

Or does he?

"She sent one e-mail to Reggie, who forwarded it to me," Obama said, referring to his 26-year-old personal assistant, Reggie Love. "I write saying, 'Thank you Scarlett for doing what you do,' and suddenly we have this e-mail 'relationship.'"

"Relationship." Ouch. We're sure the jab of those air quotes was like a sword plunging into Scarlett's heart. (Four swords? Whatever.) That the sarcasm in his voice stung like poison. But how can this be? she must be wondering. He’d told her he was a "huge movie lover" and "knows who every actor is." He'd said he'd followed her career. He'd said his favorite performance was her turn in Lost in Translation! Who would possibly have the temerity to send such e-mails to the blondest and most beautiful woman in America if not one of the most powerful and handsome men in the United States?

Of course the answer is staring her — us all — right in the face: It's clearly Obama's body man, Reggie Love. Oh, Cyrano. Is your cause a lost one?

Obama's Emails With Scarlett Johansson [Trail/WP]

Earlier: Love Letters From Great Men