Once she was in motion, Claire didn't stop, though she did pause long enough to glance back at him as she scooped up her bag. Dean's initial silence was expected, as was the way he practically folded. She should've expected the words he mangled out, but they still hit her like a truck.
"I don't know," was all she said, lying straight through her teeth with every bit of resolve she had, even though coming up with a legitimate reason for it was difficult. A protective reflex of a psyche just as scarred as his.
She wound herself out the door and into the building hallway, not able to wait for him to question her further. Leaving was the only option she could see that didn't end with her being more emotionally shattered and vulnerable than she already was.