"Even then," I confirmed. "But I need you to communicate with me when something is bothering you, instead of just shutting me out."

"I was afraid that if I told you how angry I was about the call, you'd think I was being unreasonable and it would push you away," he admitted.

"And I was afraid that if I told you about the call, you'd think I was betraying you," I said. "So we were both being stupid."

His hand moved so fast I didn’t have time to blink. It wasn’t a slap. It was a grasp. His ...