excuse now, I felt nothing but readiness for an answer.
“Then explain it,”
Aaron tried to speak, then reconsidered. His inability to answer told me more than another denial would have.
“Aaron.”
He turned his face away. I asked despite the sudden tightness in my chest.
“Were you with Jasmine last night?”
“It was complicated.”
Confirmation struck sharply, bringing almost as much relief as pain.
“Were you with her?”
“We were talking.”
“Until after three in the morning?”
“Claire—”
“Yes or no?”
He rubbed his forehead.
“I was with her.”
