[ He can't help but reach out at that, trying to put his hand on her arm. Gentle. Appreciative. He'll pull back if it seems she'd prefer he didn't.]

I appreciate that, I really do. I don't think it should be necessary, but I do appreciate it.

And I'm... still in the midst of figuring out what I want to do, honestly. I've noticed the same.

But you can't put the cat back in the bag, as they say.