He wasn't trying to be malicious, she told herself. He just had a preference for doing things by himself and that was fine. But why did she have to keep telling herself it was fine? Why did it feel like he had essentially told her he didn't want to spend time with her when it clearly wasn't true? Or maybe she had read the whole situation wrong. Maybe he was just being nice.

Her fingers flexed on his arm as she struggled to decide whether she wanted to pull away or cling tighter, ultimately remaining right in the middle with her hand eventually resting again. She was not smiling - and she was glad he couldn't see it.

"Of course." She hadn't really heard what he said, honestly; too lost in thought as she was. "Do forgive me for being too insistent that we stick together." She hadn't been - but she sure felt like she had, so apologizing seemed appropriate.