"Tell me what's wrong," I urge Alex.

But he just shakes his head. "I'm fine, Mae."

It's clear from the stiff set of his shoulders that he's anything but.

"Where did you go?" I ask him. "Why did you come out here? I was worried."

He runs a hand through his hair. "I just needed to walk. To think."

"About what?"

He shakes his head. "Don't do this, Mae."

"Don't do what? I'm just trying to ...