" I never expected…I never--” His eyes flared as he seemed to recognise where I was going with my words. He advanced on me, his body moving into my space until he stood directly in front of me. “Don’t,” he said, almost pleadingly. “Don’t. Please don’t” I lifted my gaze, gathering all my courage, refusing to back down. “I never expected to fall in love with you. And I thought maybe…” …you could love me back. Even if you leave. You could leave loving me. "