He gives another subtle shake of his head. "If you hurt me, you won't be the first or the last. That's life," Derek says quietly. The tone is neutral because he's stating a fact. As far as Derek is concerned, life is little more than a collection of small victories and big disappointments. Nothing in life would feel good if people didn't also encounter pain to balance it. If one doesn't know pain, how can one truly know happiness and appreciate it?

"Stop being scared. Take the leap of faith or don't, but don't be too afraid to try if you want to try. Take it from someone who has done that too many times, you're hurting yourself more than you can ever hurt anyone else," he tells her.

She hadn't pushed him away when he'd kissed her and she still hasn't. That makes him want to try again but he hesitates, as well he thinks he should because if he doesn't, then he's taking the leap for her. Derek has made his interest loud and clear now. Pushing it any further on his own isn't fair. She has to make the decision, ultimately, whether she wants to stay the course or call it done.