Alex didn't really know how to respond to that, so she took a really, really big gulp of wine.

She didn't doubt what he said for a second. There was something about him that made it impossible. And more than that, she wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe he understood her and that she didn't have to be alone. And it was a really, really nice feeling, being believed.

"Cardiff, really?" she finally said. "Interesting place to choose. So this... what happened to me. Did it happen to you, too? Is that how you're here?"