There was enough room on the edge of the bed for her to sit down so she did so, clearing a space on the floor with her foot so that she could place her bag on something other than garbage. “Jack,” she said quietly, rubbing his back. He twitched at her touch but didn’t open his eyes. “Jack? It’s me, Cadence. I came, just like you asked.”

After a moment or so of patting his back, he finally began to rouse a bit. He rubbed at his eyes and rolled onto his side. “Cadence?” ...