And her nervousness? Yes, that was why he didn't have these conversations with her. He wasn't sure what was all right to say, what wouldn't send her running. He did take heart at the smile, that there was a smile, at the least. Smiling was not running away, right? Right.

He took another sip of wine.

"I just...what I mean to say is, I'm glad you are here. I find I truly like having you with me, waking up with you there every morning, falling asleep next to you at night. I've never had that before, never thought I would, even. And I...like it." God, what was wrong with him? He was stuttering like a school boy. He, Julian Sark, did not stutter.