"That's not fair," Damian said again.
Not louder. Just — clearer. The way he said things when he meant them and wasn't going to let them be deflected.
"I know it's not fair," Kendrick said. "I've had a difficult day and I'm tired and that came out wrong and I know it." He looked at the counter. "But I said it because it's also true."
"What's true," Damian said. "That I talk to Lena."
"That sometimes Lena gets the version of you that's still working something out," Kendrick said. "And I get the version that's already decided." He held Damian's gaze. "I'm not asking you not to talk to Lena. She's important to you and that matters. I'm asking whether—" He stopped.
"Whether what," Damian said.
"Whether you trust me with the working-out version." He kept his voice even. "Not just the finished version. The uncertain one." He paused. "Whether you let me be there when you don't know yet."
Damian was quiet.
He looked at the counter.
At the surface he stood behind every day.
