"I changed my name." He didn't immediately address the point he knew she wanted an answer for. "I changed my job, obviously. The director had me playing the part of a professor, of all things. Movies, luckily. As for my feelings...well, I'm pretty sure that was real. I told her." He knew she'd understand just what he'd told her. Not wanting her to be too hurt by that, and to add to the lightened mood she was trying for, he added, "Not in italian."
He brought his hands up to cover hers, gently lowering them from his face. It was easier, with his greater height, to reach her across the narrow bench. "I think you're right. Love is blind. But I led her to feel that way about me based on a lie. I can't blame her for wanting me to choose. She just didn't understand that when it was between her and my family, it could never be her winning."