8
“Are you okay?”
Dale couldn’t help jerking at the intrusion. He’d faded out for a moment, shutting out the immaculate lobby and the thronging crowds and the rising noises of excitement as people greeted old friends and celebrated an impending weekend of hard-core geekery. He’d even stopped noticing the sharp smell of carryout Thai, although now he realized that some bastard had added spicy Mexican to the air.
Will studied Dale. “I just heard what happened.”
“Yeah,” Dale made himself say. “Just the shock, but… but I’ll be okay. Everything is fine.”
Will’s lips tightened. “Do you need to talk about it?”
“No.” Dale swallowed. “I just needed a moment, that’s all.”
Will gave a slow nod. “If you’re in trouble, say something.”
Dale’s smile felt even faker than usual. “Really, I will be
