Steve's solid, but in a different way than Darlington was, and that's a distraction in and of itself. Folded into his arms like that, her cheek against his chest through worn cotton, she feels a million miles away from Daniel Arlington. Maybe that's what she needs.

She takes in the pile of bedding on the sofa. She hasn't been back to Black Elm since the morning that she woke up without Danny; her and Edie have been camping out at the apartment instead. It's warded, and Alex at least has the memory of living there without him.

"Alcohol sounds really good right now," she says. He mentions changing and she looks down at herself. "What? You don't like stripper underwear, Harrington? You shock me, dude." It's not actually uncomfortable, either. Alex has high standards for workwear, now that she can afford it.