Unlike You

[This is where the lemony goodness will start. You are forewarned.]

He sat on the couch, gripping his hair. His face was hidden behind his overgrown hair, and his knuckles were white with how tightly he gripped at his own hair. Silently moving to him, I put my hand on his elbows, making him jump.

"You caught me off guard," he whispered. He gulped a lump in his throat as he stared. "You're so beautiful," his hushed tone sent a chill up my spine.

"I know," I told him. There was no smugness in my voice. I just conceded to what he said, because that was what his words made me feel.

"Do you want to go out for a smoke?" I shook my head.

"How did the call go?" I asked him. His eyes widened and panic flashed in his eyes. "You can't hide anything from me anymore. Did you know that?" his pained eyes turned to me.

"You read me because I want you to read me. I would have it no other way."

"That is so unlike you, Michael."