The heavy oak doors of the master suite clicked shut, cutting off the faint hum of the city below. The Zenith was wrapped in the warm, golden light of the early evening, the floor-to-ceiling glass looking out over the glowing grid of Aurelia's skyline.
Jake set his keys on the entry table and stretched his arms, feeling the stiffness in his shoulders finally loosen. He had shed his dusty field jacket and boots in the hallway, trading them for a plain black t-shirt and dark jeans.
Catharine walked out of the study, holding a half-empty mug of tea. She was wearing an oversized cream sweater and sweatpants, her hair tied back in a loose, messy bun. The moment she saw him, her face lit up with a genuine smile.
"Look who's back from the wild north," she teased, walking over and stepping right into his space.
