#Chapter 237: Back Down Piper

The next morning, Nicholas and I had previously arranged to spend time training together. So at first light, I headed to the gym. I wasn’t sure he would remember. Maybe he made other plans and forgot to tell me about it. He had been so busy with Bridget lately, I had rarely even seen him, let alone spoken two words to him. I had a sinking feeling in my chest, telling me I’d find the gym empty. Maybe the lights would be out. The door locked. Or maybe the room would be filled with guards training, if Nicholas had forgotten to claim the room for the day. Just outside the door, I stood and inhaled a deep, long breath. Then I let it out. Gathering my strength, I reached for the gym door and pulled. It opened. It wasn’t locked. Okay. So far so good. I stepped inside. The lights were on. Two things going good. I followed a familiar pathway down the corridors of the gym to the weight room where the mats were set up for sparring and training. That door was unlocked too, and as I stepped