There was a tightness in her chest. That was not a surprising thing to hear from him. None of this really was, which was the worst part of it all. It should be surprising that someone like Emi, someone so much kinder, more steadfast and straightforward than herself, should be so resigned to closed doors.

She looked up to meet his eyes with a tight smile. "Like I told you, there's no way I'd expect you to do that. The one who gets hurt shouldn't have to be the one extending an olive branch. I was definitely gonna come to you, no matter what."