No
Taking a deep breath, she decided to just go for it. She took his hand in hers, feeling the comfortable weight and security of his jacket around her. "Walter, would you consider giving me… giving us another chance?
Walter's expression clouded.
Paige stumbled over her next words. "I-I didn't mean– I didn't mean to put you on the spot. I thought…" she trailed off feeling like a fool. Walter pulled his hand from hers. Paige stood. "I'm sorry."
Walter stood. "I'm the one who's sorry, Paige. I can't be… I can't do this again… Raising my EQ was always an experiment, and it's never been clearer than it is right now that it's a failed one." Walter spoke carefully, to make sure there was no quaver in his voice. "Remember the definition of insanity I gave you the day we met?"
"Yes, of course I remember. I remember everything from that day." Paige blinked back the hot tears in her eyes that were threatening to fall.
He smiled sadly at her. "So do I. Which is why I can't. I tried. I did try for more than four years. And no matter what I did or how hard I tried, I'm a million miles from normal… from what you need."
Paige felt a lump in her throat and refused to release the sob threatening to escape. "I see," she whispered, "I understand…" She shrugged out of Walter's jacket and returned it to him, he folded it neatly and draped it across one forearm.
They stood quietly for a long moment, simply looking at the other, taking in the sight, knowing it would be the last time.
Just as time stretched long enough for Paige to feel a glimmer of hope that Walter had changed his mind, he gave her a curt nod, turned on his heel, and walked away. No hesitation, he never looked back.
Paige watched him until he disappeared into the growing darkness. It was only then that she finally released her sobs of anguish and regret.