[He feels a very sharp sting when he sees her face, a pain that only grows deeper because he knows he's the one who caused her to be upset. Again there's that impulse to reach out to her, but he has to hold himself back. He just said that this can't happen. He just said he doesn't have the same feelings for her. He can't confuse her or himself by these urges. He has to resist that sudden desire to pull her into his arms.

Because they're friends. That's. That's all this can be. Again this is for her sake. It hurts a lot worse than he expected, but it's for the best. He's...not a guy she should give her heart to.

So he forces a smile.]

Yeah, of course. Our friendship, it's... [His voice falters, the smile fading slightly.] It's...something I really do treasure, you know?

[And that fake casualness he tried to push out just completely disappears as his voice softens, allowing her a glimpse into how conflicted he really is feeling about this.]

That's why I don't want to lead you on or give you any false hopes. [Another tremble of hesitation.] But if you do find that you can't be around me anymore...it's okay. I'll understand.

[Since he is the one who is driving this wedge between them.]