"It wasn't terrible," he says quickly, eager to comfort her in some small way. "Of course we're still friends. There's nothing to forgive." A pause and he offers her a watery smile in return. "It was... It was... nice."

The silence is painful. Even looking around the room doesn't help. Absently, a hand lifts to touch his lips and then falls away again as he tries for another small smile. He goes to say something, but the words don't come, so he sighs and looks away.

Another moment later, he says, "I... I should go, shouldn't I? I want to stay, to help you, but... but I-I don't want to make you feel worse."