Richard continued to caress her hair, brushing the stray pieces that fell into her face as he watched her, eyes searching hers for a long moment. She wasn't going to talk to Jeff. Even if her words had said okay, her eyes betrayed the truth, that was her choice to make, not his.

She looked tired, and he knew she was. Alex had already admitted that she hadn't been sleeping since he left. After all, sleeping on that couch was an impossible act unless you had exhausted yourself to the point of it. Besides, he knew she had issues sleeping without him there. He just couldn't bring himself to come back before tonight.

"You should get some sleep." Real sleep, not barely sleeping while holding the dog.