He looked at me.

“But I wouldn’t disappear without discussing it either.”

For a long time, he remained silent.

Then he smiled faintly.

“That may be the most honest answer I’ve ever received.”

I touched his shoulder.

He placed his hand over mine.

I felt the familiar tremor.

The same one I’d noticed when we met at the restaurant.

Months earlier, I’d seen it as an opportunity.