"It's okay," Thomas said, watching as he stood. He knew a retreat when he saw one and he couldn't say he blamed Bitty. If the situations had been reversed, he might have done the same thing. Leaving wouldn't solve anything in the long run but it was a temporary balm and Thomas knew all about those. In the absence of being able to solve everything and to rid himself of his guilt, he searched for ways of escape just to alleviate the pain even for a few minutes.

He nodded up at Bitty. "Don't work too hard. You deserve to relax too."