There is no before. There is only now, and what comes next.

“That's okay," she says at last, returning her gaze to the fire. "He was still i…”

“And now I know why they invented words for love, why they had to: It's the only…”

“It was all very strange, Mr. Gray thought, as he wiped the coffee canister clea…”

“Everywhere he touches is fire. My whole body is burning up, the two of us becom…”