Page 343 of Commander’s Mate

“Debatable.”

He looked almost offended.

I smiled.

Then stopped.

“Jake left one morning and didn’t come back.”

Pyrr did not move.

“I spent months waiting for doors to open,” I continued. “Every car in the driveway. Every phone call. Even after they told me, some stupid part of me kept waiting.”

The star map blurred.

I hated that.

“I’m not doing that again.”

Pyrr spoke quietly.

“Then do not.”

My throat tightened.

“That easy?”

“No.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I will not tell you fear is foolish simply because I want something from you.”

I looked at him.

He continued.

“I go into danger.”

“Yes.”

“I may die.”

“Great sales pitch.”

“It is truth.”

I looked away.

“And if I decide I can’t live with that?”

His answer came without hesitation.

“Then you do not choose me.”

Pain flashed through his face anyway.

He did not hide it.