Chapter 199

Lila's POV

The morning light spills into the studio, which had become a jumble of carelessly strewn canvases and paint-splattered floor. I inhaled deeply, enjoying my silent—relatively silent—moment of my day before things really get going. I mean, just something about the studio at dawn is so. .. full of possibility.

The door creaked open just as I was setting up my easel. Jake sauntered in, and his face brightened at the sight of me. "Morning, Lila."

"Morning, Jake," I returned with a smile. "You're really early."

"I couldn't sleep," he confessed, raking a hand through his hair. "I have been thinking about our project, and some ideas came to me."

"Great," I said, feeling a flicker of excitement. "Let's hear them."

He pulled up the stool and sat down, his serious face a match for mine. "I was thinking about how we can work in some different textures into this piece. That really would further develop another level of depth and emo