“Thanks for agreeing to have our talk here,” Reesa said once she and Myko were back in Casa Sartori’s living room. “It wouldn’t have felt right at the workshop.”

He nodded.

She stared at the gap between them. Their chairs were mere feet apart but seemed more distant to her. “Above anything else, I need you to understand how important you are to me. I’ve respected you for years, but since last June there’s been more. I’ve come to appreciate your ...