More than anything

His voice draws her back out, and it's hard not to feel mortified -- not just because she almost fell to pieces in front of him, but because he knows. He's probably known ever since he laid eyes on her. Well, it's bound to be obvious. But she still feels caught out and foolish, and her eyes are overbright as she rolls them heavenward in a silent plea for continued composure. She nods, lips pressed together tightly.

"Sorry," she says, as if she's just made some sort of mildly embarrassing faux pas. "I'm--I'm listening."