Alyssa wasn't stupid, nor was she intentionally being thick. It was only what he was talking about was so far out of her realm of expectation that she was having a hard time comprehending what he was actually saying.
She spoke quietly, "Well, maybe you should 'clarify' some more. I know that Texas was hard, but I don't really see what--"
Oh. Oh. Alyssa dropped her gaze and ran a hand through her hair. Was he saying he wanted more? Had he chosen -- one of the most significant nights of the year -- to talk to her about it, really driven all the way up here just to make a play for her? "Hell, Karl," she said softly but with feeling.
'What did you want out of this?' should have been her next words -- if she was brave enough. But Alyssa could barely look up to meet his gaze.