"Mattie!"

Nicholas did not expect Mattie to burst into tears like that. He did not expect her to break down. It didn't register in his brain when the alcohol spilled onto the carpet, only that Mattie was turning to leave again and he didn't want that to happen. He reached out and grabbed hold of her wrist, firm but not tight. He wrapped his other arm around her, holding her, trying to get her to be still.

"Mattie," he said again, "Stop, stop. It's okay. It's okay. I'm sorry. God, I'm so sorry. Please, just breathe."