Commanding the Room

The next morning, the quiet of the villa broke with a sharp rap on Sylvie's door.

Evan stood in the bright hallway, holding two steaming porcelain mugs of dark roast. He offered her a warm, knowing look. "Drink up. I have something planned for today."

Sylvie accepted the mug, letting the heat sink into her stiff fingers. "What kind of something?"

"A fresh start needs a fresh look."

Within an h