The rest of the day passed in a thick, restless haze.

Chloe avoided the kitchen. Nathan stayed in the garage working on something that made loud, metallic noises. By evening the air between them felt stretched to breaking. Her mother came home tired, ate quickly, and went upstairs to shower and sleep. The moment her bedroom door closed, the house changed.

Chloe was in the laundry room folding the last of the towels when the door opened behind her.

Nathan stepped in and shut it.

She turned. He was already close. The small room left almost no space between them. His eyes were dark, jaw tight, the careful control from...