SHe'd almost looked forward to the nonsexual intimacy stage, when he'd thought he'd be able to do it with Asher.
He does his best to hide how miserable he is.
"I love you. — I should get my stuff together, we can do more at Ron's house than we can here —"
"I'll carry you back to the dorm room."
Raine kisses him again and lets herself be carried.
She's already mostly packed; it's easier to hide things in a duffel bag than in drawers.
He can't stop touching her while she finishes packing.
One more kiss and then they can head to Ron's car.
He's cooperative with this plan, but only because he can carry Raine and her duffel bag to the car.
"Hey," Marlo says when she gets in the car.
"Hey."
In better light it would be obvious that she'd been crying; in the middle of the night Marlo can still tell if he pays attention, which she's not under the impression he isn't.
It might also be obvious from how tightly Asher is holding her.
Marlo offers her a hand.
Raine takes it and laces their fingers together and squeezes. "I assume Lev's at the house?"
"Yeah. — I'm glad you're here."
"Yeah." She squeezes his hand again and then lets go. "Me too."
Christine is awake, because of course she is.
Ron knocks on her door. "Hey."
"I'm sorry."
"From my perspective," she says dryly, "the thing you're sorry for is the single best thing you did for me in my entire life."
"Still."
"I suppose. --I love you. I always did."
"I love you too."
"It would be nice. If we were able to. Talk."
"I missed you too."
"You've stolen four of my students this session. A new record."
"I was hoping to steal five."