The words hung in the air of their dark bedroom, a challenge and a promise.

"Yeah," he said. "I think I was."

In the morning, the reality of it was a different beast. Anna woke first, the events of the previous night replaying in her mind with crystal clarity. She felt a pang of anxiety, a cold knot in her stomach. Had she ruined everything? She turned her head to look at Mark, still asleep beside her. His face was relaxed, peaceful. She reached out and gently traced the line of his jaw.

His eyes fluttered open. He looked at her, and for a moment, there was no recognition, just...