It was a nice restaurant. She wished she could be more attentive. But even Todd was distracted, quiet, and had been since he picked her up. They were a matched set of silence, playing with their fancy food while neither of them ate a bite.

"He said something to you, too. Didn't he?" It was the only explanation, why Todd was so distant.

He looked up. Dropped his eyes. Set down his fork. "Yes."

Damn him. Damn him! Take her brother away and the guy she... shied away ...