Rose was taken aback. She hadn't expected such directness after months of nothing. Her eyes roamed Kanaya's face, and she found nothing but genuine sincerity.

"I must confess, I had taken your complete lack of communication as something of a dismissal. I won't pretend that my pride isn't a little wounded. But I have missed you, too," she said quietly, "I just wish you had been more willing to trust me."