"Good," she tells him. She's missed him in most ways, some small ones, like sleeping next to her and filling space in her apartment. The place feels warmer and less lonely with him here.

Even now, his hands are warm through the thin material of Venus's comfy pants. "Think I might be able to interest you in a bath later?" she asks, still playing those words over his mouth.

After whatever they might find themselves doing, she means.