Oh. Oh. He wasn't running, he was .... was he.... ? Sisse's thoughts couldn't seem to form coherently. Was it... hope.... forming?

She hardly recalled it but her smile softened, "Indeed. I suspect that rather is the cause." Her mouth was dry, her stomach leaping, her arms jittery as if he might take one again in his and draw her to the floor. That was what he was saying, right? Or was she entirely foolish for thinking so. Oh, why had she ever thought she knew what she was doing? She had thought herself so charming so clever this evening, and now.... now she was likely the foolishly naive young lady.