She ate the whole of her egg sandwich and most of two doughnuts, surprised at her hunger. But then she remembered that, despite the dinner at Henry’s last night, she’d barely eaten in the last couple of days—too busy and too discombobulated by the back-to-back international flights. And, of course, last night had built up an appetite. A blush heated her cheeks, and Maddie, who had been watching her, barked a laugh.

“What?”

“I was thinking about last night. And I assume you were, too.”

She grabbed the little back pillow behind her and swatted Maddie. “You perv.”

Maddie laughed and grabbed the pillow, yanking it out of her hands and hitting her knees with it. “I know you are, but what am I?”

She giggled and tried to get the pillow back, the two of them soon wrestling for it, both shrieking with laughter. Eventually, as both had probably secretly wanted, Maddie had pinned Ryann to the floor, hands above her head, and was kissing her neck and along her collarbone, the laughter entirely forgotten. Soon Maddie opened Ryann’s robe, and Ryann ripped off every bit of Maddie’s heavy clothing with trembling hands.

Later, after they had moved to the bed to nap, Ryann woke again, this time snuggled under Maddie’s arm—a much better awakening than before. Maddie was still asleep, and when Ryann moved to prop herself up, she still didn’t stir. Her face was turned her way, and Ryann was tempted to run her fingertips along her strong jaw and soft lips. She made herself bunch her fingers into a fist to stop herself, wanting to examine her beautiful, peaceful face while she had the chance. Maddie’s tan, which Ryann imagined was quite striking in the spring and summer, was faded but visible. She had a slight smattering of freckles across her nose and two faint but long scars—one through her left eyebrow and one on the tip of her chin in an angle that suggested that whatever had done the one had continued and done the other—slashing through both parts of her face. Did it come from something reckless when she was younger, or something daring? She once again itched to touch it. When she leaned forward a little, inhaling deeply, that hint of vanilla, though faint, was still present. That same nostalgia that had overwhelmed her before tugged at her, and this time she smiled with the new memories it evoked.

“Are you smelling my hair?” Maddie suddenly asked, one eye slitting open, cat-like.

She beamed and leaned in for a kiss. “No. I was smelling you.”

“Good. Though I could use a shower.”

“Mmm. Me, too,” Ryann said, lying down again under her arm, cheek on Maddie’s shoulder. She closed her eyes and snuggled a little closer.

Maddie laughed. “Well, I can’t really shower from here, can I?”