"I wasn’t going to ask you out," he said, staring over her shoulder at a potted plant. "I never intended to. I assumed I’d get over it. But when you asked me, well," he gave a pained smile, "I’m a spoiled only-child who’s always been selfish, of course I said yes. I assumed we wouldn’t last long and it’d be fine to let it run its course. I thought as long as I didn’t do anything to fuck up your life, I wouldn’t be doing any harm. I didn’t realise you’d think I was trying to keep you hidden as though you were some kind of indiscretion on my part. I am sorry. I should have said no from the beginning." He swallowed and almost reached out at touched her.