She hardly remembers everything she'd said, but the clarification is enough. I want you in my life forever, had come spilling out of her mouth, off her lips. Stay with me. Sharon sits up to look at him, lifting one hand to run her fingertips from his temple over the curve of his ear in the old familiar gesture.

"Every word," she promises. "I meant every word."

Maybe it's unfair to ask. She doesn't care.