When the first light of morning filtered through the canvas, she opened her eyes to find him watching her, his expression quiet and full.
He pulled her close again. "Joanna, forget what we are to each other. Just think of me as a man — a man who wants to take care of you. From now on, call me Gerald. Or just Fang — whatever feels right."
She wanted to answer him. Part of her already had. But something still held her back, some old hesitation she hadn't yet worked through. She turned away without speaking, and they tidied themselves in silence before stepping outside.
The scale of the earthquake was becoming clearer by the hour. The relief station was busy, and the news filtering in from the city center was grim — casualties were high, the damage severe. The younger volunteers with any s
