Lee says there’s nothing wrong with him, and Michael takes a deep breath. Every time she’s ever said that, he’s felt better, and it helps now too. His fingers go back to moving through her hair. Part of him wants to kiss her, and then keep kissing her and completely end the conversation. But he can’t just cut it off, he wouldn’t be able to relax, and it would only get brought up again later.
“I know, but doesn’t that get lonely?” he asks, then sighs and says, “Maybe that’s why I had to tell you now. I don’t wanna be alone out here. Not even a little.”