“You confuse me,” I mutter quietly, focusing on the art on the far wall, unable to make eye contact while this subject lingers in the air. I can see him from the corner of my eye as he leans forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his legs. He rubs his palms together slowly and then rubs his face.  

“I know.  Which is why I need to say this.” He slides up as I turn to look at him, his eyes boring into mine heavily. “You and I … we don’t work.  Not as friends, not ...