Mathias has been so immersed in this idea that he has to wait and let Veronica take the first step, that he flounders for a moment, unsure of what to do now that she's actually doing it. It certainly isn't that he doesn't want to, but he's surprised and he turns as they walk, looking down at her for a moment.

"Are you certain?" he asks, which is a stupid question. He's never pressured her, never given her any reason to force herself to do something she doesn't want to do, but he still wants to be sure. He needs to be sure, if only for himself.