Stella drew closer, resting her elbow on the armrest of the plush velvet couch. Her brow lifted, and her voice carried a playful edge. "Come on, Sarah. It's just a simple question. Why's it taking forever to answer?"
Kelvin, seated just a breath away from Sarah, chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I don't think that question's deep enough to confuse anyone... unless, of course, there's a secret brother you're hiding."
Sarah blinked. Her lips parted, but no words came out immediately. Their eyes were all on her now. Watching. Waiting.
She could lie. It would be so easy. Just one simple word and this moment would pass. But Kelvin's presence made that impossible. There was something about the way he looked at her, the way he listened, that made her feel exposed. Vulnerable.
Still, she forced a smile and finally spoke. "No. No, I don't have a brother," she said quickly, then turned to Stella. "Come on, you should know that too."
There was a brief silence.
