The best lie Owen knows is to just keep your mouth shut. The opposite of worried isn't happy, it's bored. Be quiet, genuinely do not give a shit. A smile can't look nervous if you don't smile.

And underneath it, he worries all the time. Life keeps giving him a reason.

"Owen," he says, filling in the blank. His raised hand retreats into his side, arms crossing over his chest. "We haven't met, but I still know when someone's shitting me. Something got you spooked, and I want to know what we're dealing with."