"I appreciate the sentiment. Good luck to you in whatever endeavors you embark on here."

That said, he briskly turns and walks away, steps stiff and slow to keep himself from noticeably rushing. He doesn't want to show her exactly how rattled he is.

But, when he comes up beside Chris, it's much harder to hide. One touch and Chris will know how his limbs tremble. It's fear not just for himself, but that Erin will see who he cares for and use that against him in some terrible way.

"Chris..."