Reed hated himself for it, but when she wrapped her arms around him, he wiggled his way out and created a physical space of an arm's length between them. "That's not space, Lydia." He still looked hurt, but he tried to push through it.
Shifting his focus from the pain of possibly losing her to the reality of what kind of future she might have with him and Neptune, he was able to harden his features to a degree. "It's better this way. Really." Because she could let go of her feelings for him, heal, and move on with her life. Maybe they would remain friends. He hoped so. He really did love her, and not just as his girlfriend, but also as someone he trusted and needed in his life. "I'll.. give you a call or something."