*looks up from the book he’s reading and smiles* Hey, Summer. What’s going on?
He sighed quietly. I know… He was a bit surprised when Summer pulled away, but he soon realized how awkward that might have felt. I’m sorry. I wish I knew of some way to help you.
“Merlin, I — you — just — ” She stopped hard, and had to clear her throat. “Please don’t say that. Okay. Because I might say something stupid, and I don’t want to say something stupid, and I don’t want to do something stupid. I can’t lose you as a friend.”
Unless you specifically tell me that you don’t want me in your life anymore, I think you’re stuck with me at this point, he tried to grin reassuringly but ended up smiling awkwardly at Summer.
“Oh, fuck, Merlin,” she groaned, turning away and putting her head against the wall. “Just let it go, please? Pretend I never talked to you about this. I’m just … going to go stick my head in the horse trough now.”