( chewing the inside of her cheek, Belle contemplates telling him it need be a deal. that way he might not go back on it so easily; but then again, given their previous one...

lowering her gaze to his hand, she shifts her feet once more and moves to take it into her own whether that was what he was offering or not. ) It need not be a deal.

It's an offer, one that will never go away. Should you ever want or need it, my help I mean, it will always be there for you.