"Of course it matters," Nigella chirps, as she continues to yank on Cole's ear. Cole mostly responds by looking intensely put-upon. "Cole's weird and creepy and doesn't know social norms, but he wouldn't mention it if it didn't matter."

Having said her piece, she lets go of Cole's ear before laying back down and readjusting herself on Cole's shoulder. Cole rubs his ear a little bit because ouch, that hurt, stop that.

"Things that didn't happen can still matter. The what-ifs matter as much as the what happened."