"Definitely not Elio," says Bill, stepping in, doing his best to look adult, to look authorative. Jamie might not be a childhood friend, but Bill had promised him that, if he ever needed something like a father, Bill would do his best to be there. So here he is.

The girl looks at him like he's personally taking a shit on her dreams, and he shrugs, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Sorry."