'I left a note,' Ava began to explain. 'I tucked it in your—'
'I don't care about some stupid note!' Jack groaned. 'Writing doesn't count, ok? I'm not just a few lines of typed text, winking and smiley-facing you from behind a screen. I'm right here. I know it's not what you're used to but … ' His voice dried, and he hoped Ava wouldn't see just how close to tears and emotional he was becoming. 'Look. I just need to know that I can trust you. That you won't run out on me again.'
Ava's hands slipped from the wheel and fell into her lap. 'I came back for you, didn't I?' she said quietly.
'Because of me? Or because of the wolves outside?'
She turned to face him, the look on her tear-stained face darkening.
