"I don't want you to go," Alex said again, his voice steadier now, more certain.

"The contract is over, Alex," Judy repeated, though she made no move to pull her hand away.

"I fulfilled my obligation, you paid me, there's nothing keeping me here anymore."

"I'm not talking about the contract," Alex said, stepping closer, his other hand coming up to cup her face.

"I'm talking about us, about what we've become beyond the contract, beyond the arrangement, beyond the money and the ...