Chapter 135 3Locked Door

• Nova arrived five minutes early the next morning.
• Julian heard the outer gate open, then the soft knock. He opened the studio door, let her in, and locked it behind her in one smooth motion. The deadbolt slid home with a solid click. No Marcus. No ultramarine emergencies. No excuses today.
• She stood in the middle of the floor in the same long coat from the first day, tote bag over one shoulder. Her hair was loose. She looked at the locked door, then at him.