"I don't know. I was just trying to help." He squeezes the cat so close she gives a little squeak and thrashes out of his grip. He laughs, and it's entirely devoid of humor. "It just figures, right? I'm scared of everything. I'm scared of you. I'm scared of maybe the best news that's ever come my way."

And that's how he sees it, now that he knows Cedric's being honest. Howard bites his lip.

"What if it doesn't work between us?"