Jo, your points are well-taken and logical. But it’s not that I’m not willing to trust Nick has the intention to change for Dupree, it’s from Louise’s writing that I am skeptical about it, allow me to quote the following paragraph from chapter 28:
Nick felt a shiver go up his neck as the cold gray eyes of the older man sitting across from him settled on him critically, reminding him of the feeling he had during inspection when an admiral came through. Same sharp, intelligent gaze, undistracted and unwavering. Yeah... I’d want em too if he ever gave me a look.
Do you think it is any proof that he is going to change? As I’ve said, I hope I’m wrong for Dupree’s sake. (Actually, scratch that, I hope I’m right because I’ve been rooting for another character for Dupree.)