After she stepped into the shower, with him a second behind her, it was as if their conversation as he removed her clothes had not happened. They acted as if he had not taken the thick bandage at her neck along with her shirt, as if he hadn't acknowledged her sacrifice (and really, had he done that at all?), as if their exchange, in any other couple, wouldn't have amounted to a declaration of…

Of something.

Her head dropped back against his chest. "I'm so tired."

Of pretending, she didn't say.

Angel held her tighter. "Let's get you into bed."