Ford nodded, chin knocking against Noble's shoulder. "When I come back," he said in a voice that shook only slightly, "I'll be ready to pretend."
It might have been more accurate to say he would stay away until he was ready to pretend, at the end of the day. He didn't know how he was going to manage it, getting from the way he currently felt to a passable facade of being smitten with a girl he barely knew, but he knew it was important enough that he didn't have the luxury of not being ready. It was a mercy to even have this, Noble telling him to go, but this was all he could allow himself.
It might have been more accurate to say he would stay away until he was ready to pretend, at the end of the day. He didn't know how he was going to manage it, getting from the way he currently felt to a passable facade of being smitten with a girl he barely knew, but he knew it was important enough that he didn't have the luxury of not being ready. It was a mercy to even have this, Noble telling him to go, but this was all he could allow himself.
Set by Lady!