“That’s not fair,” I say softly.
His expression shifts. “What isn’t?”
“You saying that like it’s simple.”
“It is simple,” he replies calmly.
I shake my head a little. “It’s not for me.”
“I didn’t expect this,” I admit. “I didn’t expect you.”
His gaze softens, just slightly. “I didn’t expect you either.”
“I love them,” I say quietly. “They’re my whole world.”
“I know.”
“And I don’t want anything to feel… unstable.”
“It won’t,” he says.
“You don’t know that.”
He steps a fraction closer — not enough to touch, just enough that I feel him there.
“I’m not asking you for anything,” he says gently. “I’m not asking you to choose. I’m not asking you to change anything.”
“Then why say it?” I ask, my voice softer than I mean it to be.
“Because you asked.”
“You’re not doing anything wro
