I shook my head and began to argue there was nothing to be ashamed about, but he wouldn’t let me, holding up his hand to silence me. “You had every right to leave me and save yourself. In fact, when I was stuck there inside my head, I begged and pleaded for you to run. What you did for me … I’ll never forget.” He held my eyes, his brimming with fierce devotion. “Don’t look at me like that.” I couldn’t remember ever being on the receiving end of such a look, except for perhaps from my mother. “I may not be all the things people say, but I’m also no saint. Don’t put me up on a pedestal like one.” “I’m not going to argue over this,” he cut in. “What you did was a pure, selfless act. It was my life you saved, and I can choose to honor that if I want.” I lifted a brow, attempting to lighten the
