Tightening my grasp on my folders, I bit my lower lip hard. "I know, and I thank you for that. However, I truly cannot say it, Sir." I told him, still unable to look him in the eye. I figured that saying this was better than the alternative. "You can rest easy, though. It doesn't have anything to do with you."
The brief silence that followed made me think it was over, that he was finally accepting my answer. Yet, his voice came again, low and gentle, as his hands dropped back to his sides. "Is it something too personal?"
"Yes, sort of." Completely personal.
"I see." He said, his expression turning serious. "I'm glad it wasn't something I did."
That single line sent a wave of warmth straight to my heart. He didn't want to be the culprit. Even if he didn't love me, he still valued me enough to care about my opinion of him. The bad news is that you didn't do anything, and yet I still fell for you, Xav. You're still the reason I'm telling all these lies.
