screamed a

oposal. But the memory sharpened: after Graham had walked out, she had stood frozen in the living room, listening to the rain. Minutes later, a knock had cut through the silence. She had opened the door to find him ther

t sound coming fr

itting the cold floor, and rushed out of

cushions, one arm hanging off the edge, his head resting on a throw pillow that wa

heeks. It was unnatural, a bright, feverish red again

" she wh

ver his forehead for a second before she touched his sk

He was a doctor. How could

bottle of ibuprofen and a digital thermometer. When she returned, she p

shaking his shoulder. "Wa

they were sharp, alert, and locked onto her with an intensity that

have a fever," she said, her voice stiffer than she intended.

tension in his shoulders seemed to deflate. He sat up slowly

Jaimie stood up, needing to put distance between th

k, staring at her pale reflection. She needed to wash her face, brush her teeth, and f

hamper to toss in her

's grey Nike sweatpants. They were clearly used, balled up

s. He had been weari

tment recently, the only person who left clothes behind, was Gerry. He

Had Gerry broken in? Or

had fought with her, stormed out in the rain, and used Jaimie as a paw

hest. She grabbed the sweatpants out of t

head in his hands. She threw the sweatpant

You have a girlfriend, don't you? You had a fight, you came here

les white as he gripped the sofa cushion. He squeezed his eyes shut, as if fighting off a wave of dizziness, and took a deep, shuddering breath. When he

ced by a sudden, sinking feeling. She looke

ough, scraping against the silence of the room.

. The room tilted. She hadn't told him that. She hadn't men

ed, but the word d

ver still gripping him, but his presence was overwhelming. He

e are going to do this, if we are going to start a new life

al ache in her chest. He knew. He knew about Gerry. He knew about W

ith the shame. "How do you know about Wedn

xpression unreadable. The silenc

ping the sweatpants onto the floor. "And

the bathroom, shutting the

umpled grey fabric on the floor. It felt like a symbol of ev

nts inside, and tied the bag tight, her hands shaking. She thr

makeup. Her hands were still trembling, making the eyeli

a transaction. This was a trap,