Emotion hit him in a wave, intense but fleeting. Not pity--he'd never do his friend the disservice of pitying him--but anger, dull and warm, and an aching need on his behalf. He didn't drop his gaze until long after the Corinthian did.

"I think we all ask ourselves that question from time to time," he said. "I'm afraid having choices doesn't make it any easier to answer."

He looked up again, his brows furrowed slightly. "But I can tell you your work is appreciated."