It sounded kind. Thoughtful, even. But Julia couldn’t help wondering if it was really about helping—or hiding. It was like he had something to scrub off before she got too close. It had become a ritual now. Clothes off, wash started, straight to the shower.
One evening, Connor came home later than usual, looking drained. “Sorry, it was a long day,” he muttered as he headed for the bathroom. Julia walked into the bedroom and found his clothes strewn on the floor, as if he’d peeled them off in a hurry on the way in.