“Still. It’s really hard to be left like that without
 
 someone even talking it out. That’s really damaging and rude.”
 
 Steph’s lips curl up just a little and something warm sparks in
 
 me at her outrage. She doesn’t get angry like everyone else,
 
 but it’s obvious that she is. Maybe that’s her inner processing
 
 that she was talking about.
 
 “I was totally unprepared to meet you.” Now that I’m
 
 talking, it’s suddenly so much easier to say what I want to say.
 
 “To be with you. I kept thinking that it’s going to come. That
 
 moment where you decide it’s not for you or that you’re done
 
 with it or that you leave. I kept waiting for it. I talked myself
 
 out of it. It was nothing you did. Honestly. I just kept waiting
 
 for it to end because that’s my biggest fear.”
 
 “I know that I’m not one to talk, really. You were right
 
 when you said that I don’t have any experience with this, or
 
 almost none. All the relationships I’ve been in, I’ve been
 
 almost happy to see them end. I knew that none of them were
 
 right and that was always hanging over me. As for being
 
 scared though? I’m scared too. I think everyone gets scared
 
 when they meet that person who means a lot to them. But I
 
 also think that feeling things after a short time is legitimate
 
 too. It’s our body talking to us, giving us signals, working like
 
 it should, but then everything else creeps in. Doubt. Life.
 
 Other signals. Other chemicals. They get stronger, those
 
 instincts, and we can’t ignore them.”
 
 “That’s very…scientific.”
 
 Steph breaks into a grin. “I know. But I think it’s true. I
 
 just want you to know that I understand. I think fear is very
 
 natural. If you don’t want to do this, then I get it. I get that you
 
 weren’t looking for me or for a relationship and maybe you’re