Franklin's smile came slow and tired, the kind that carried warmth but also weight. He wanted to stay, God, he wanted to stay so badly, but duty had a way of knocking even when the door was locked.
"I'd love to," he said softly, brushing his thumb along Cassie's shoulder, "but I have to take food to our daughter, remember."
Cassie barely stirred. Her eyes fluttered open and closed again, heavy, unfocused, like sleep had wrapped her in velvet and refused to let go.
She felt boneless, deliciously drained, as though she'd taken something stronger than rest, something that seeped straight into her bloodstream and settled there.
"Can't you send someone you trust?" she murmured, voice thick with drowsiness. "Corrine used to say, after the first real time, couples should cuddle. Tha
