After finishing, she hurried to wash her hands, and then climbed into bed, turning her back to him.
Matthew settled in beside her, watching her back. “Turn over.”
Stella acted as though she hadn’t heard him.
Undeterred, Matthew gently wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.
Stella resisted for a moment before relenting.
She closed her eyes, bracing for a sleepless night, but quickly fell into a calm sleep.
In the silence of the night, they embraced.
Lying in Stella’s warmth, Matthew felt profoundly content. He kissed her forehead softly and then closed his eyes.
Their breathing harmonized, casting a cozy warmth throughout the room.
The following day, Stella decided to give the studio a miss and ventured to the new commercial space instead.
She was determined to scope out the site herself before looping in a renovation team.
When Bella caught wind of the plan, she was thrilled to come along.
Consequently, Stella took a slight detour to collect Bella on the way.
Upon their arrival, as Stella extended her hand toward the door, Bella stopped short, noticing that the storefront’s location had shifted.
Bella’s expression twisted in bewilderment. “Why is it not the same commercial space we talked about?”
Stella responded with a casual shrug, “Fernando handed this one off to me. It’s on the same street-nothing to fret over.”
A spark of understanding lit Bella’s eyes, and she nodded.
They stepped through the doorway. Inside, Bella offered Stella some advice, inspired by the chic layout of her own establishment back in Dorburn.
As Dorburn slipped into the conversation, Bella’s thoughts drifted to the pending property transfer awaiting Stella. Her heart sank as she remembered their narrow escape from death not long ago.
Bella let out a weary sigh. “I had hoped to show you my old haunts in Dorburn, but Kristian’s shadow looms over those memories.”
Stella reached out, her voice soothing. “Mom, don’t worry. I’ll clear my schedule, and we’ll go together. I’m as eager to see your old haunts as you are to share them.”
Bella’s spirits buoyed by Stella’s words.
After thoroughly examining the site, Stella sketched a basic plan to review with her renovation team later.
They exited the building, their task complete.