Rick moved into the kitchen proper, and did not look away from that despairing little gaze that he had never seen from her before. He reached out as if to pat her arm or back, but hesitated, then stopped just short of touching her elbow. "Hey now. It's okay. I never said that. I just meant that I missed you, Kams."
The counter was plenty big enough for two bodies to lean against. Rick put his hands against the counter behind his back. "I don't really get it, though. What would get easier by avoiding me?"