Colors and shapes fused together before her eyes. The myriad pitches in the din around her melted into a muffled monotone that plugged her ears and pressed in on her brain. Fingers snapped in front of her face. “Earth to Alyssa. Hellooooo.” Finally registering that Trent had been calling her name, she turned her head in his direction. He gasped and gathered up her hands. “Honey, what’s wrong? You look like me when Barneys has a huge sale but all my cards are maxed out.” Her body was a contradiction of reactions. Never one to give in to hysterics or public displays that might draw attention, Alyssa locked her expression in place like that of a Botox patient. A nondescript visage that belied the pain and sadness welling inside her, except for the silent tears that slid down her cheeks. “I think I just lost the most important person in my life,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I don’t know what to do, Trent.
