I want answers.

I’m staring far too long at the three words.

"Kieran?" The hope in Evelyn’s voice has me looking up. I glance again at Carl.

Tiny lines form around his eyes as he smiles. "It’s okay, Layla. You’re a young woman now." He pats my hand, and I want to crawl under the table for so many reasons. They both wait for my answer. I look down at the message again. I close my phone.

"Yeah, it’s Kieran." I’ve never seen ...