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We both stopped. Almost laughed. But it was too tense for real laughter, the air between us crackling with everything we weren’t saying.

“You first,” I said.

“You have to let them know today.”

I nodded.

“I’m not here to pressure you.”

“Then why are you here?”

“It’s a good offer,” he said.

“It is.”

“You should take it.”

I blinked. “What?”

His face held the same expression he wore in net when he was trying not to show pain. “Denver. You should take it.”

“That’s it?” My voice came out sharp. “I should take it? You told me you love me and now you’re telling me to leave?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean? Because it sounds a lot like you’re giving me an out.”

“Ellie.”

“No.” I stepped closer, anger flaring in my chest. “Please don’t act like you’re being selfless when really you’re scared I’ll choose you and regret it.”

It was a direct hit. His face showed it with a flicker of pain he couldn’t hide.

“That’s not…” He trailed off. Swallowed hard.

“You’re giving me an out because you don’t believe I’ll actually choose you.”

The silence that followed wasn’t comfortable. No, this kind of silence came before a storm.

I turned away from him, gripping the edge of the treatment table. My hands shook.

“You’re doing it again,” I said to myself. To him. “You’re deciding for me. Just like at the picnic. You looked at Crim and decided I wasn’t worth the risk. Now you’re looking at Denver and deciding I’m too good for you, so you’re pushing me away first.”

“That’s not what I’m doing.”

I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze. “Own it. If you’re going to break my heart, at least be honest about what you’re doing. You told me you love me.”

“I do.”

“Yet you’re pushing me away.” I shoved my shaky hands into my pockets. “Because you think love isn’t enough. That I’m going to wake up one day and realize you’re the guy who held me back from my dreams.”

He looked away.

I’d stated the truth, and we both knew it.

“Say it,” I said.

“Say what?”