"That's not true." Justina's voice shook, tears already spilling before she could stop them, and she was on her feet before she'd fully decided to stand. "This is a lie. Stay away from me."
"Alright," Nolan said, not moving to follow her, watching her walk toward the door with something unreadable in his expression. "Ask your mum, then."
Justina didn't turn around. She walked straight out of the coffee shop, the bell over the door jangling behind her, the folded newspaper page still sitting on the table where he'd left it, and didn't stop walking until she was three blocks away and finally let herself cry.
Justina got home and found her mother in the kitchen, and the question was out of her mouth before she'd fully decided to ask it.
"Mum, was Dad the first man you ever dated?"
