Matt knew he was being given an opening into the chance of really letting Karen know more of who he was, of being truthful and honest. That opportunity alone left him feeling some relief, better about the situation, though he didn't expect that feeling to last once certain questions were asked, ideas expressed.

He'd laughed at her joke about the keying of an ex's car, always glad for humor. That was definitely something they shared, thinking that jokes made the path of life easier. Even the lamest ones. Hell, especially those kind.

Stepping inside after her, shutting the door and locking it, deadbolt and all, his eyes scanned over the room, taking in some of its details. He watched her go toward the fridge, unable to not let his senses reach out to see, feel, how she was feeling. About like he expected her too, but going through pain with her was part of owning the mistakes he'd made in how he'd handled the two very different parts of his life.

Taking a bottle, smiling gently, he thanked her and moved over to sit at one of the chairs at the dining table. The couch would've been more comfortable, but felt a little too much like being pushy. He didn't expect for a lot of smiles and kind words once she started asking questions again, if that was what she planned to do.

Brows furrowing a tiny bit, his head just barely shook at those quiet words. "It felt like what I needed to finally do." A beat, tongue licking just so over his bottom lip. "Be completely open, just lay it down like it is. I'm sorry, that it took you by such surprise." Another pause. "But, I never would have just...not come to see you, or reached out to you, Karen. I could never do that."

Maybe none of those words helped, but were explanatory and true and felt like ones that he should say in the moment.