"Oh now that's not fair," Jack said, and followed it up with words that really? Were incredibly sharp. But then he didn't hide things, not like that, and not with her who knew, he'd rather make a joke out of them.

"take away a guy's pillows!" he said, "I haven't had pillows for 14 months and you want to take them from me now!"

He let out an indignant sort of huff. False, of course. Staring at her with a mock solemn expression, but then that dissipated too, a smile taking its place.

"Careful," he went on, "or I might have to just say thanks."