Breathing slowly, Foreman slumped a little further, his shoulder meeting Amber's. The arm of the chair dug into his ribs a bit, but it wasn't annoying enough that he'd want to move. Amber took his hand, and Foreman turned his over so that their palms met. He wasn't willing yet to look her in the eye, and probably invite more questions, but sitting quietly near her he could do. Maybe this was why, even though he got tied up in knots afterward, these details about his life kept making their way free. He closed his eyes as she kissed him, nodding slightly and squeezing her hand. They could forget about the subject, leave it at that, for now.

He didn't start eating again right away, even as Amber pulled her lunch across the table. He'd more or less relaxed, and the longer Amber went without pressing the advantage he'd given her, the easier he felt. But he'd more or less calmed his hunger, and he'd rather stay next to her than lean forward over his soup again. Under the table, his knee nudged hers. A wordless gratitude filled him, warm and clear. He'd been right to tell her.