Page 212 of Commander’s Mate

He had a point.

Annoying.

“Sit.”

His eyebrows rose.

I smiled despite myself.

“You may sit, Commander.”

He sat at the far end of the bench.

For a while we watched the stream.

“I can stay here,” I said.

His body went still.

“Yes.”

“You hate that.”

“Yes.”

“Good honesty.”

He said nothing.

I turned toward him.

“Ask me to come back.”

His eyes met mine.

“No.”

That hurt.

More than I expected.

“Why not?”

“Because if you return because I asked while you are deciding whether Halor should become your home, then I will always wonder whether I stole part of the choice.”

My throat tightened.

“You really know how to make being decent irritating.”

“I am learning.”

I looked at the flowers.

“If I stay here, what happens?”

“I leave.”

“Just like that?”