It was killing him to watch her like this. But what was he supposed to do, gather her in his arms and tell her it was all going to be okay? He hung his head. This was not turning out to be how he'd wanted it to be. Not at all. Both of them were hurting and he was near tears himself. His eyes filled, but he didn't let the tears fall. He wasn't a crier.
He walked closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "I know. Shhh. I know. We'll stay friends. Partners. It's all we can do." He didn't think he had the capacity to love anyone else, but he had needs and wants and desires, and if she was unwilling to fulfill them, he would find someone who was.