Roman stretched his fingers and let them quill around the door handle, the cool metal brushing against his skin like a silent trigger.
His fingers hesitated, curling around it tightly for a moment before he pulled it back. He gestured for Julie to get in with a silent nod.
Obediently, Julie slipped into the car, her movements smooth, delicate, almost rehearsed, and waited for him to go around and take his seat as well.
Roman gently closed the door behind her, a soft click echoing in the cool evening air, and walked around to the driver's seat.
His gait was calm, deliberate, but there was a tension in the way his shoulders slightly rolled forward—as though he carried something heavy on his back.
"Your seat belt," he said, and Julie was quick to secure herself, a smile playing on her lips as she looked over at him.
His voice was deep but soft, a tone that always made her feel like she was listening to something private.
