(Cole)
She walked into the room and looked around.
Her gaze moved over the grey sheets, the adjusted blinds, the candles still unlit on the dresser, and the music sitting low underneath everything.
She didn't say anything about any of it.
"I need a shower," she said.
"I know," I said.
"I've been in these clothes all day," she said. "The courthouse. Dinner. The drive over." She looked down briefly. "I need to get out of them."
I nodded toward the bathroom door.
Her gaze moved to the bathroom door before returning to me.
"You don't have to do it alone," I said.
She looked different today.
Not happier.
Freer.
"You want to help?" she asked.
"With the shower," I said. "If you want."
She held my gaze for a long moment.
Then she made up her mind the way she always did. Quietly and
