"Hey," he echoed, his voice rougher, low and thick like he hadn't used it in hours.
Or maybe it was just the way her presence made him feel, like he still didn't know whether to be angry or just glad to have her near.
An awkward silence settled, cool and uninviting, as if neither knew what to say next without falling apart.
"You left," he said finally, not accusingly, but as something he was too tired to keep holding inside.
Merlina looked away, her throat tight. "I know."
"Didn't even say goodbye, not even a word." he said, his voice low. He waited for a response. She didn't give him any, when it looked like she was still gathering her thoughts, he continued. "Did I mean that little to you?" he asked, softer this time, but no less hurt.
"I needed time," she said, without looking up, her gaze fixed on the dashboard, "After everything… after what we did, what we said. I just… I didn't know how to go back to normal."
