Lindsey pressed the heel of his hand to his cheekbone, still stinging from Phaedra's punch.
At her last words, his eyes widened. He laughed, bitterly, staring past her.
"Is that what you want," he asked softly, looking up at her. "You want me to say 'yes'?" It said a lot about Lindsey's life, particularly recently, that he was almost tempted to say it.
"Darlin', I can't make you do anythin'. Wouldn't be right if I could." He ran both hands through his hair, pushing it back off his face.
"I ain't done right by you, I know that and I'm sorry." Lindsey slowly got to his feet, hands out in front of him as if calming a spooked horse. His accent was thick, voice low and soft as he pleaded with her.
"I love you, it's as simple as that. And it scares me half to death."