Even as Steve settles, she's still breathing hard. Her skin is damp, beads of sweat at her hairline, between her breasts, and when Steve lies down against her, she runs her fingers through his hair and finds it damp, too. She loves these moments for the first time with him. Before, she'd found them uncomfortable, difficult, she'd wanted to get up and leave.

Moments like this were too vulnerable. She had felt exposed. She still does, but it doesn't scare her as much anymore.

"Hey," she says, her voice soft as she combs her fingers through his hair slowly, nails lightly rubbing against his scalp.