[Her confusion just made him even more uncertain. Maybe, Bruce thought, he should have simply left. Was that what she'd expected? Did she want privacy? It made sense when he thought on it further, and he felt foolish for staying. But then she said that she'd been alone for a while now, and he wasn't sure how to take that. It didn't sound very reassuring. He knew what it was to be alone, and if anything, it elicited a twinge of sadness on her behalf.
And then she asked if he was staying, and his surprise was visible in a slight widening of his eyes. He shook his head.] No. [He paused.] Do you... want me to stay? [He wasn't suggesting anything; the question was too much genuine curiosity, too puzzled, for that.]