Her fever had eased slightly after the hospital dose, but her skin still radiated a soft warmth against my forearm.

Ethan stepped over to the kitchen counter and picked up his leather laptop messenger bag.

He pulled out his phone, set the heavy bag on a chair, and held the phone in his right hand.

His hands were completely steady.

“Do you want me to step out into the hallway with June?” I asked.

“No,” he said, turning to face me.

“You stay right there.