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“Brutal.”

“To return your mail.”

“I could.” Another pause. “But then I wouldn’t get to hear your voice.” sammmnextdoor

“Goodnight, Ellie three floors up.”

She laughed—a real one, the kind June had written about—and heard him exhale like he’d been holding his breath. “Brutal

The courtyard stretched between them, full of shadows and other people’s laundry lines and the distant hum of the city that never quite slept. Ellie pulled her knees to her chest.

“That’s private,” she said, her voice smaller than she wanted. ” she said

“Why do you call so late?” she asked.