"Neal genuinely loved Tamara and moved on with her." - Eddy Kitsis

"When you truly love someone, you can never move on." - Knave of Hearts

So, CANON speaking because even Eddy confirmed it so you can stop saying Neal never loved her, Neal did love Tamara and moved on with her. He chose her, built a life with her, and wanted a future with her even though he knew that Emma was out there. He knew all the shit he put her though and he still chose to ignore it- never even coming back for her when the curse was broken. So that line from OUATIW (which is always written by Adam and Eddy, so I assume on some things they do keep the same beliefs and perspectives since it’s still their writing, IMO) is exactly why Neal and Emma are NOT meant to be. Why his love for her wasn’t enough to stay, to come back, to not move on. If Neal truly loved Emma, he would have done anything to go back to her and fight for her, but not when it’s more convenient to him. Not after he just found out his fiancè betrayed him- that’s too easy. That’s still taking the easy way out. Emma Swan is NO ONE’s rebound. She’s not a fucking consolation prize you settle for only because what you really wanted slipped away from you, that’s gross and lame, and frankly Emma is too much of a strong and intelligent woman to not realize that. Adam said that Neal and Emma have big scenes coming up, and just a few days ago at the NYCC Jen said that one “I love you” doesn’t erease 11 years of loneliness and pain so my guess is that it’s gonna be a pretty heavy scene where they talk about what that ILY meant, and that they can’t go back to what they had. Neal left her and moved on. Killian came back and is there for her. So tell me again which one has more respect and adoration for Emma- the man who claimed to love her but ran away and never came back, or the man who came back for her even though he didn’t have any obligations in doing so and is doing everything he can to help her? ‘Nuff said.