She slid the paper away, undid her sandals, and drew her legs up to lie as close beside him as she could. She put an arm around his chest and hid her face in his ribs. He smelled, as ever, like chlorine, Aveda, and Tide. The sky bled pink, then violet. Ezra reached up to turn on the light. “Mary-Alice,” he said, with the gentlest forbearance conceivable. “Your silences are very effective. Do you know?” Alice rolled onto her back. Her eyes filled with tears. “I’ve spent a lot of time here,” she said finally. “Yes,” he replied, after another long moment. “I expect this room will be imprinted on
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