“Sorry…” The look she gave him was anguished and self-conscious at the same time.
“Hey, what are a few tears between temporary neighbors?” he said.
Her chin wobbled, then her face crumpled and suddenly she was crying in earnest. He froze, unsure what to do, what to say.
“I didn’t mean—” She stood abruptly. “Give me a minute.”
Ducking her head, she strode from the room.
Samael stared at her empty seat, feeling sideswiped and stupid and more than a little inadequate.
He should have said something. He should have at least told her that he didn’t give a s**t if she cried. God knew, he’d shed his fair share of tears in recent months, deep in the dark of the night when no one would know that he’d compromised his all-important masculinity by letting his emotions get the better of him.
He s
