I could scarcely force the word out. “Yes.”

When I saw the agony on his face, it mirrored the feeling in mine own. Carl was firmly planted, although it was clear from his look that he would have preferred to be elsewhere. Maybe he figured if he didn't move, we'd forget he was ever there.

Absolutely not.

“Why?” The key word here is "demand," which is what David used. I had gone through the response in my head many times, but suddenly I couldn't come up with it. Is there anybody else?" he said.

My gaze naturally wandered to Carl's, but he wasn't paying any attention to me. Frowning, he...