“I know this isn’t what you wanted,” I say. “You’ve been clear about that from the start. And maybe it wasn’t fair of me to agree to fake it when I sensed how easy it would be to fall for you. But I can’t pretend anymore. I can’t keep giving you all of myself, all of my heart, without knowing I’m getting the same thing in return.” He presses his forehead to mine, his grip on me tightening. “I don’t know if I can,” he says. “If I even know how. I’ve been telling myself I can’t for so long.”
