Her words hit Derek hard, sinking down into the core of him, and he lowers his fork. He feels much the same way most of the time, and he has to swallow hard before he can speak.

"No," he says quietly, looking over at her. "It took me a very long time to realize it, but no. I don't think that's how it works. Maybe we just have to care about people even if they leave, even if it would be easier not to."