Marcus called first.

Cleo let it go to voicemail. Then he called again. Then he texted — I need to talk to you. Please. Just five minutes — and she stared at it for a long moment before typing back fine because she wanted it to be the last time and the only way to make something the last time was to actually do it.

They met at a coffee shop two blocks from her apartment. Neutral ground. Public. She got there first and ordered tea she didn't particularly want and sat at a corner table and waited.

Marcus came in looking like someone who hadn't been sleeping well. He...