Ellie’s face softened, but only slightly.
“I’m not ready for that.”
“Okay.”
“I don’t know whether I’ll trust you again.”
The sentence landed quietly.
“I understand.”
“I may decide I can’t.”
I swallowed.
“Okay.”
“You keep accepting everything.”
“Would you prefer an argument?”
“No.”
“I’m trying not to say the perfect thing and get forgiven before we hang up.”
“That would be efficient.”
“My team values efficiency.”
“I noticed.”
A small breath of laughter passed between us.
Not enough to fix anything.
Enough to remind me why I wanted to try.
“I don’t want a public statement,” Ellie said.
“There won’t be one.”
“I don’t want Sophie contacting me.”
“She won’t.”
“And I won’t become your friend because it’s easier to explain.”
“No one says anything about you unless you agree.”
“That should be obvious.”
“Yes.”
“I’m not thanking you for it.”
“You shouldn’t.”
She nodded.
