Of Course I Meant It!

"I got used to the way things are," Richard said as casually as he could. "I really don't mind."

Laney gaped at him. "How can you not mind being stuck with us indefinitely?!" 

"I'll worry about you either way so isn't it better to be close enough to do something about it when you need help? Just let me keep looking out for you, will you?"

"Why? I was never meant to be your responsibility forever, Richard! If this is some overblown sense of obligation—"

"I don't like seeing you upset. That's why. You're always looking out for everyone else but you need someone to look out for you too. Is it really so hard to fathom that I genuinely want you to be happy?"

It must have been based on the look on her face. His cold, clinical nature had never come back to bite him as badly as it was right now. Of course she wouldn't believe him! Their entire relationship was based on a contract!