Gretchen watched as Jax got ready for work, unabashedly and silently. They hadn’t spoken a word since waking up, and she was happy in the peace. It allowed her to think and fully feel the moment. She still couldn’t understand how her physical self and her brain were so at odds. Her body buzzed after their night of lovemaking. But her mind? Her mind was filled with images of happiness. Gretchen propped her head in her hand and started to laugh.

Jax looked over her shoulder as she fastened her belt. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. I really can’t explain it.”

“Try.” Jax sat and pulled on her oxblood Dr. Martens, distracting Gretchen with the flex of her back muscles beneath her thin tan sweater.

“I get these sensations,” Gretchen said. She saw Jax smirk. “Not like that. Not one memory has come back, not even the ghost of one, but I swear my muscle memory is perfect.”

“What do you mean?” Jax twisted on the bed to face Gretchen fully.

“Last night, when I touched you, I knew exactly what I was doing, but I also knew it had been a long time since I had done it.”

Jax didn’t say a word. She just turned her attention to Gretchen’s foot, poking out from beneath the white bedding. She touched each toe and then traced a delicate tendon. Her touch tickled, and Gretchen couldn’t fight back a giggle.

As much as this moment felt like old times, she knew it wasn’t. They still had so much between them. Spending the night together could’ve helped, but it also could’ve harmed.

“Are you okay?” she dared to ask. She was absolutely terrified of any answer Jax could give her.

Jax glanced at the bedside clock and stood. “I’m going to be late.”

A new unease washed over Gretchen. “Will I see you later?”

“It may be late, but yeah.”

Spiraling thoughts of Meredith and regret strangled Gretchen, but she refused to stop believing in the undeniable connection she still had with Jax. “Maybe we can spend the weekend with Caleb and possibly talk about us? There’s obviously a lot to talk about.” She tried to ease the tension with a laugh, but it sounded painfully fake.

Jax grabbed her jacket and messenger bag on her way. She paused with her hand on the doorknob. She looked back at Gretchen and winked. She left a second later.

Gretchen lay back on the mattress and blew out a long breath. She started to analyze and overanalyze Jax’s behavior. Last night wasn’t supposed to happen, and as hopeful as Gretchen felt, she knew Jax would need more time. A weekend with their family would be good for both of them.