Chapter 17: An Illusion Of Happiness, Part 9, Pressure?

... "I wanted to pass something by you, but if you don't like it, then that's fine. I want you to ignore it."

"Alright... But what are we talking about?"

He swallows hard. "I realise that we barely know each other, but the thing is, I would like to know you better..."

Where's this going?

"And I know that you said at the start, very clearly, that you didn't want to be 'tied at the hip'... And that's what I wanted too... then... The thing is... that although my work involves a lot of travelling and my er... base is out west, it doesn't need to be. My apartment is only rented and so long as I have good road access and an internet connection, it really doesn't matter where I live..."

"So...?"

"So, I could get an apartment here, in the City and we could see each other more regularly, and for me, more easily. How... would you feel about that?"

His expression is a mixture of hope, caution, and worry. I don't reply immediately. As the silence stretches out, worry takes over. "Fo