“Yes.”
“Because of before.”
“Because I love you.”
He absorbed that without flinching.
“And because the apartment is familiar to your body, even if your mind can’t reach it. Because the yard is downstairs. Because Marlowe is there. Because I know your medications and appointments.”
“You’ve made a list.”
“Several.”
His mouth moved.
“Of course.”
“But none of that means you owe me the choice.”
He studied me.
“If I go to Leah’s, she’d have to take leave she can’t afford. The girls have school.”
“Yes.”
“The rehabilitation place has people.”
“Trained people.”
“I don’t know them.”
“You didn’t know me two weeks ago.”
“No.”
The simple answer tightened my throat.
Noah looked down at his foot.
“I still don’t know you from before.”
“I know.”
“I wish I did.”
The wind lifted the edge of the blanket.
I tucked it back.
Noah watched my hands.
“It hurts you when I say that.”
“Yes.”
“You always tell the truth?”
“I try.”
