ELARA'S POV
I was awake at eleven when he came home.
Not waiting anxiously. I'd had a full day, gallery in the morning, a long call with Claire about the Chicago exhibition, dinner with Maya who'd come by unannounced with wine and the specific energy of someone who wanted company without having to explain why.
Maya had stayed until nine. We'd talked about James and the new apartment and a case she was finishing and the civil action and she'd asked about Vermont and I'd said I didn't know yet, he wasn't home yet, and she'd nodded and poured more wine.
After she left I read and waited.
The key in the door at eleven fifteen.
He came in and set his bag down and stood in the hallway for a moment. He looked tired and altered in the same way he'd looked after the first Vermont visit. Someth
