There was noise all over the room as Lynda woke up the next morning; these were not the gentle sounds of morning that she was used to, but sharp vibrations, phones ringing, doors opening and closing, and voices from another room. Marcus’s apartment was alive before she was ready for it.

She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes.

Marcus was already dressed, pacing the living room with his phone pressed to his ear. He spoke quickly, his voice firm and impatient. He looked in her direction for ...