Arianne stood near the entryway. Not waiting. Just positioned. She'd been standing there for three minutes—long enough to notice she was standing there, not long enough to convince herself to move.
Franz was a few steps behind her. One hand rested on the back of a chair. He didn't move when the lock turned.
Ellie stepped in first. Her posture was controlled, but it carried the weight of someone who had not had the luxury of slowing down before arriving. Her coat was on, one hand holding it closed out of habit rather than necessity. Kyle followed just behind her, his gaze moving quickly, taking in the space without hesitation.
He remembered it. That much showed in the way he didn't stop at the threshold.
"Shoes," Lily said, appearing almost immediately from the hallway, her timing too precise to be coincidence. She pointed down toward the mat with both hands, as if the direction needed emphasis. "You have to take them off."
