She can’t promise that. She doesn’t know she can’t, but she could leave and come back from a they never even met. She couldn’t promise that, couldn’t comfort him with it.

But the hug helped. It was a hell of a lot better than the punch, at least, and he hugged her back a little too hard.

“I know this place is terrible, Jess,” he murmured very quietly after a moment. “But I am glad you’re here.”