Michael nods. He can read in her eyes, and on her face, that she means it. Somehow, what they had was enough to make her look like that. Was enough to hurt, in the way that only love can. He knows that feeling all too well. It's never fair. Just like this isn't fair.

"But you broke up with me," he says, and then lifts his shoulders. "Because you thought someone else would make me happy. Someone else makes Alex happy."

And Michael never had. Not really, not in the uncomplicated way that Bass does. This, to Michael, is what love means. It's not about holding on to someone no matter what, whether they want to be held or not. It's about wanting that happiness for them. Even when it hurts you.

He looks down.

"I wanted to move on. I knew all the history between me and Alex, and I knew we weren't good for each other. I wanted to be good for someone. For you."

His hand covers hers again, squeezing it.

"I'm so sorry, for how much it hurts. I don't want you to be sad."