The sun woke us before the alarm could. It streamed through the shutters, cutting bright lines across the duvet, illuminating the dust motes that danced in the stillness of the room. I lay there for a moment, watching the light shift as the earth turned, feeling the warmth on my face. Beside me, Marcus was already awake. I could tell by the rhythm of his breathing; it was the steady, alert breathing of someone who had been up for a while but was choosing to stay still so as not to disturb me.
"Morning," I whispered, turning onto my side to face him.
"Morning," he replied softly. He opened his eyes. They were clear, free of the shadows that usually lingered in the corners. "It's boat day."
"It is." I pushed the covers back and sat up. The air in the room was cool, a contrast to the heat
