"Be fair, John," I say, more gently than I truly feel here. "You've had more time than we have to get used to this idea, and have made up your mind already. It's not so easy, when you might not love the same way."

I reach across the table to catch Laurence's hand.

"I'm willing to try, for him. I think we can make it work, but even if we can't I believe it's worth it. We've never... not the two of us. But that seems worth trying, too. I want to try, but I won't pursue it if you truly don't. I promise. Say no, and this is the end of it."