She tried to tell herself that it was all okay, that this separation from Alex didn’t get more and more painful as spring wore on toward summer. True, he had come up to visit as often as he could, and in the beginning, Caitlin had had the selfish thought that she was almost glad she was living by herself now, since at least it meant she wouldn’t have to hide their nighttime activities from anyone else. Yes, it was awkward squeezing in with him in her full-size bed, but still so much better than sleeping alone. But then he’d have to go away again, to attend to his own responsibilities, and she was left telling herself it was okay, that she’d see him again in a couple of weeks. It was never enough, but it was better than nothing.
Even more promising, Alex told her in mid-May that he’d submi
