g long golden shadows across the living room floor. Dust motes floated lazily in the air, glowing softly as they drifted past the couch and the low coffee table. He dropped

iet he'd grown used t

n-b

ng straight into his throat. A loud, booming laugh filled the house, warm

AD

ing his bag for the sec

to a brief but crushing hug. His older brother stood there grinning from ear to ear, eyes br

n the back. "Thought I'd drop by. How's school, l

d to be here. Not today. Not at all. "Uh... I-yeah, we've been talking," he

ther wagged his eyebrows teasingly. "You've got to invite her over f

her complicated feelings, the way she sometimes looked like she was carr

ing, the house

r, her shoulders slightly tense. She wore a soft smile that didn't quite hide her ner

reeted her like s

y, extending a hand and flashing an ea

haking his hand. "All

ly photos on the wall, the slightly crooked bookshelf, the kitchen that smelled faintly of spices and warmth. He spoke easily, f

long while, Lia felt a w

ed. The warmth of the home wrapped around her, settling into her bones. The kindne

n no

softening from her eyes. A quiet sense of relief washed over hi

ly against the counter, arms crossed, a mischievous

ging the word out. "How lo

hed, eyes wide, gripping the glass as if

pped Jaden on the shoulder again. "Come on, little bro. You're

by, turned toward them, her brow furrowing sli

t red. "Nothing!" he bl

ust don't do anything to scare her off, okay? You're lucky she's s

a strand of hair behind her ear. She glanced at Jaden, noticing the s

"Good. Now, let's eat before I sta

as light

m work, exaggerating the funniest parts, while Lia listened with bright eyes, occasionally chimi

. He always did. But he didn't

lt calm. Almost like maybe, just maybe

's phone

oze instantly. Her gaze dropped to the counter, he

ri

her fingers tightened around the edge of the counter. He followed

ipped it into her pocket. "Nothing," she said lightly

icking between them, but he wisely let it pass, lau

's name carried weight-he could see it in Lia's eyes, feel it in the way

kept stealing glances at Lia. Each smile, each laugh, each subtle movement reminded

the evening and the sharp pang she couldn't quite shake. Adrian's prese

en felt

chatting with her about school as they worked side by side. Jaden lingered nearby, p

her said, Jaden felt his chest tighten

"Don't let anyone take ad

in his tone. "I... I can handle it," she replied

y things he wanted to say-about Adrian, about pain, ab

," he murmured, quietly eno

the two of them, the warmth of the house around t

, they knew one thing for certain: feelings t