Well, the few tears that remained in her eyes surprised him somewhat, though it really shouldn’t have.  Charlette had just bared her soul to him, feelings and all, and he didn’t reciprocate.  Not even close.  If Paul felt bad about his “comfortable” statement, he now felt worse.<br/><br/>“Don’t be silly,” he replied, a little shocked that she’d consider staying somewhere else.  Where exactly would she go? he wondered, though he didn’t ask.  It was a non-factor as far as he was concerned.  She was still in school, too, and the house wasn’t too far from campus.  “You pay your rent, Charlette, always on time, too.  You’ve every right to stay here,” he stated, slightly deflated by now.<br/><br/>Paul sighed heavily, running a nervous hand through his hair.  “I just need to sort this crap out with Jemma," he said.  “I can’t focus on two women at the same time.  I’m pretty sure neither of you would want me to either.”<br/><br/>Rubbing Charlette’s back, he offered, “You, um, you want me to go to the doctor with you?  Cuz I will if you want me to.”