Chapter Three

Nora’s POV

Friday evening arrived with a low ceiling of clouds and the kind of restless energy that made the showroom feel too contained.

I had told myself I would close on time. No lingering. No extra light left on near the stairs. Yet at 7:36 I was still on the second floor adjusting the same throw pillow for the third time when the side-door buzzer sounded. The sound traveled straight through my chest. I did not check the monitor. I already knew the exact posture he would be standing in under the exterior light.

Luca stepped inside carrying the night air on his coat. He looked at...