Not too sappy at all; you nailed the scene between H and HR exceedingly well, IMHO. Such scenes are bound to be uncomfortable, at any age, because there's a lot on the line for both parties and opening up like that is never easy.
Bravo!! for a most well-done chapter.
Author's response
You're right; whether they'd been 14 or 34, that moment still would have been at least a bit uncomfortable.
Glad you liked it.