She wanted to hug him again. Dani crossed her arms instead, leaning her hip against the island.

"Then I think we'll all get along just fine." She paused, pushed close to her limit as far as feelings were concerned. It took her a second to say anything else. "I'm not good at it either. Seeing people and..."

She scowled, looking away. "And believing there's a reason for them to stick around when things go to hell. I get not wanting to risk that."

Something else hovered at the edge of being said, but she couldn't even be sure what it was, herself. "I'm just also going to say nothing good comes from hiding things. It's your choice, what you want to do. But if he's half the guy you seem to think he is, I don't think him knowing would kick you out of the friendzone."

A one-shouldered shrug. Her expression crimped into a faint smile. "You really don't do simple, huh."