Alec took it. He understood Sparkle's anxiety; he couldn't imagine feeling any differently if this had happened to someone he cared about.

Though the revelation that Sparkle still cared about him was going to have to be examined later.

"I," he said, then stopped. It was clear he wasn't buying any water here today. He didn't know where the clerk even was. "I should go. I think. Do you want me to go?"