George didn’t wait for another word. He rose to his feet slowly, gently slid his arms around Thalia’s waist and pulled her into him. She didn’t fight it, her body melted into his chest as though the strength holding her upright finally collapsed.

Her face pressed into his shoulder, her breath shaky, her palms gripping the back of his shirt as if holding onto the last piece of stability she had left.

For the first time since Tracey’s death, Thalia allowed herself the luxury of ...