Ford was annoyed, and for the first time Noble looked visibly frustrated by this — he was glad it was not happening to him but why couldn't it have happened to him? He no longer had a secret lover; he would have told a better lie in the moment; he would not have taken this out on his brother, of all people. Noble's eyebrows furrowed and he flung one of his already-raised hands up. "Ford, you need a story," he said, "People need to think you love her."

Appealing to romantic sensibilities was the only hope they had.