He has to hug her

"Say it again." Dr. Vierre instructed.

"Again? Why."

"Do it." She said, "Hurry."

"Uh... it's kind of embarrassing."

She just stared at him, and mentally counted the seconds.

"Fine. I... I love you, Charlotte."

"Twelve seconds. Look, Jack, I'm afraid that you won't be able to muster up the nerve to say it until the hug is over. So if the hug ends before you manage to say it, you have to hug her yourself and say it, when you're ready."

He nodded, not really taking her concern that he doesn't have the confidence to say it in time. "Sure, I can do that."

"Wonderful! I feel like we've made a lot of progress, don't you?"

"Yeah... uh, do I have to tell Charlotte about this?"