I inhale deeply, savoring the memory as I wander into the middle of Arrick’s apartment from the elevator while he follows with our bags. He dumps them by the end of the couch as I take in the open-plan space with joy.

I haven’t been here in months, and its sheer familiarity makes me feel calm, like coming home. Instantly still inside, like breathing warm, soothing air after being out in the cold, I inhale slowly. The atmosphere washes over me. Welling up at how much I missed this ...