"We need to discuss this more," she said, and he felt his heart sink. He didn't like talking about his feelings. It wasn't just a "man thing", although that was part of it. He came from a family where feelings weren't discussed. They weren't even acknowledged. If people were angry about something someone had said, or done, it was never discussed directly. The anger would come out in other ways. He grew up unable to express his feelings appropriately, let alone talk about them. She, of course, came from a family where feelings were spoken about often. There were hugs, there were uncomfortable - to him at least - discussions, there was none of the passive aggressive displays he was used to in his family.
"Sure," he said. "We can try." She reached over and took his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Thanks," she said, and her smile warmed him, covering him with a lovely feeling of safety. "I know you struggle," she said. "Thanks for trying. I appreciated it."
...
