Lila woke up earlier than usual.

For several seconds, she simply stared at the ceiling.

Then she groaned and pulled a pillow over her face.

This was ridiculous.

Absolutely ridiculous.

Ryder had been back for less than twenty-four hours, and somehow he was already the first thing on her mind.

She buried her face deeper into the pillow.

"Pathetic," she muttered.

The pillow offered no argument.

Eventually, she forced herself out of bed.

The house was quiet.

Ethan was probably still asleep.

Most of his friends were definitely still asleep.

After yesterday's reunion, they had stayed up far too late talking and laughing in the backyard.

Lila slipped into a simple summer dress, tied her hair into a loose ponytail, and headed out.

A morning walk would help.

Fresh air solved everything.

At least, that was the plan.

Twenty minutes later, she found herself walking toward the small convenience store near the edge of town.

Then she froze.

A black motorcycle was parked outside.

Her heart immediately recognized it.

Ryder.

Of course.

Because apparently the universe enjoyed playing jokes on her.

Lila considered turning around.

Instead, she pushed open the door and walked inside.

The familiar bell above the entrance jingled softly.

Immediately, she heard voices coming from the counter.

"You still owe me five dollars."

"I was fourteen."

"Debt doesn't expire."

"That's not how debt works."

"It does in my store."

Lila looked toward the counter.

The elderly owner, Mr. Henderson, stood with his arms crossed.

Ryder stood opposite him.

Looking completely unbothered.

"You were trouble then," Mr. Henderson said.

"I'm still trouble."

"Exactly my point."

Ryder laughed.

A real laugh.

Easy.

Relaxed.

The sight surprised Lila.

Most people only talked about Ryder's tattoos, motorcycles, and reputation.

Nobody talked about moments like this.

Mr. Henderson shook his head, though there was obvious affection in his expression.

"You disappear for two years and come back acting like you never left."

"What can I say?" Ryder replied. "This place missed me."

Mr. Henderson snorted.

"Your ego is still too big."

"Good. I was worried it got smaller."

Mr. Henderson spotted her first.

"Lila!"

Both men turned.

Ryder's eyebrow lifted.

"Princess."

There was that nickname again.

Her heart betrayed her immediately.

"Hi."

Mr. Henderson pointed at Ryder.

"Tell this boy he owes me money."

"I was fourteen," Ryder said again.

"You keep saying that."

"Because it's important."

"It isn't."

"It feels important."

Mr. Henderson rolled his eyes.

Lila laughed despite herself.

The three of them talked for several minutes.

Nothing serious.

They chatted about old times, people around town, and the changes that had happened while Ryder was away.

Then Ryder's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen.

"Ethan."

Mr. Henderson chuckled.

"Hope there isn't a problem."

Ryder answered the phone.

"With Ethan? There's always a problem."

The old man laughed.

A few moments later, Ryder pulled the phone away from his ear.

"You know I can hear you without the shouting, right?"

Lila bit back a smile.

A short pause followed.

Then Ryder said, "Yeah. I'll be there."

He ended the call and slipped the phone into his pocket.

"What did my brother want?" Lila asked.

Ryder shook his head.

"He wants help moving furniture."

Lila groaned.

"That sounds exactly like Ethan. He loves changing things around. Every few months he suddenly decides the house needs a completely new look."

Mr. Henderson laughed.

"Your brother has too much energy."

"He really does," Lila agreed.

"You just got back," Mr. Henderson told Ryder.

Ryder shrugged.

"Try telling Ethan that."

"No point," Mr. Henderson said.

"None at all," Lila added.

As they left the store together, they continued talking casually.

The conversation flowed easily.

The weather.

The town.

The people they both knew.

Simple things.

Comfortable things.

Eventually, Lila glanced at him.

"So... how long are you staying this time?"

Ryder adjusted the keys in his hand.

"A while."

She nodded.

Trying very hard to sound casual.

"Good."

Ryder looked at her briefly.

Then a small smile appeared.

"Good?"

Lila immediately regretted saying it out loud.

"I mean... everyone was happy to see you yesterday."

"Hmm."

Thankfully, they reached Ethan's truck before he could say anything else.

By evening, Ethan's backyard was full again.

Music played softly from a speaker sitting on the patio table.

Someone was standing near the grill.

Someone else was arguing about football.

The air smelled of barbecue and smoke.

Lila was carrying a tray of drinks when Rebecca arrived.

Heads turned almost immediately.

Rebecca looked effortlessly beautiful in a fitted white sundress that moved gently in the evening breeze. Her blonde hair fell over her shoulders, and her smile was bright enough to draw attention without trying.

Rebecca waved at a few people.

Then, without hesitation, she walked straight toward Ryder.

Lila hated that she noticed.

She hated it even more when Ryder noticed too.

"Look who finally decided to show up," Ryder said.

Rebecca placed a hand dramatically against her chest.

"Wow. Is that your way of saying you missed me?"

"Not even close."

"Ouch."

"You'll survive."

Rebecca laughed and lightly slapped his arm.

The gesture was so natural that it immediately drew a few whistles from the group.

"Oh, here we go," one of the guys called out.

Rebecca pointed at him.

"Mind your business."

"No chance."

"Seriously," another friend added. "The town's favorite almost-couple is finally reunited."

Laughter broke out around them.

Rebecca rolled her eyes.

"You people are still talking about that?"

"Of course we are."

"You were supposed to get married."

Rebecca looked at Ryder.

"Remember that?"

Ryder chuckled.

"Unfortunately."

"Unfortunately?"

"I remember your mother trying to plan our future before either of us could drive."

The group burst out laughing.

Rebecca laughed too.

"She still asks about you, by the way."

"That's because she likes me."

"Everybody likes you."

"I know."

"Your ego is unbelievable."

"My best quality."

Rebecca shook her head, smiling.

"You haven't changed."

"Neither have you."

Lila stood near the drinks table.

Watching.

Listening.

Trying not to.

But every time she looked away, her eyes somehow found their way back.

Rebecca seemed completely comfortable beside him.

Comfortable enough to stand close.

Comfortable enough to tease him.

Comfortable enough to share memories that made everyone laugh.

And Ryder seemed completely at ease with it.

He laughed.

He joked back.

He didn't move away.

He didn't look uncomfortable.

At one point, Rebecca leaned closer and lowered her voice.

"Be honest."

"That's dangerous."

"Would we have survived marriage?"

Ryder pretended to think about it.

The entire group waited.

Then he nodded.

"For about three days."

The laughter that followed was loud enough to shake the backyard.

Rebecca nearly spilled her drink.

"Three days?"

"I'm being generous."

"You are unbelievable."

"And yet, here you are."

Lila looked down at the tray in her hands.

Something unpleasant twisted inside her chest.

Maybe Rebecca was just joking.

Maybe Ryder was just joking too.

But they looked good standing together.

Too good.

Like they belonged in the same picture.

A few moments later, Lila quietly slipped away from the backyard and headed into the house.

The noise faded behind her.

The cool air inside the kitchen felt like a relief.

She set the empty tray on the counter and reached for a glass.

The sound of running water filled the room.

"You're hiding."

Lila turned.

Ethan walked into the kitchen.

"I'm not hiding."

"You disappeared."

"I came to get water."

"Sure."

Lila pointed at him.

"Don't start."

Ethan laughed and opened the refrigerator.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Ethan said casually,

"Oh, by the way."

Lila immediately became suspicious.

Whenever Ethan started a sentence with by the way, trouble usually followed.

"What?"

"Ryder's apartment isn't ready yet."

She frowned.

"What apartment?"

"The one he rented."

Lila blinked.

"He rented an apartment?"

"Yeah."

"When?"

"A while ago."

She stared at him.

Nobody had mentioned that.

Ethan grabbed a bottle of water.

"The renovations are taking longer than expected."

"Oh."

"So he'll need somewhere to stay for a little while."

Lila nodded slowly.

That seemed reasonable.

Ryder had plenty of friends.

He could stay with anyone.

Then Ethan said,

"So he's staying here."

The glass nearly slipped from her hand.

"What?"

Ethan looked confused.

"What?"

"Here?"

"Yeah."

"Here here?"

"How many versions of here do you know?"

Lila stared at him.

Ethan stared back.

Then a familiar voice spoke from the doorway.

"Don't look too excited, Princess."

Lila spun around.

Ryder stood leaning against the doorframe.

A lazy grin sat on his face.

The same grin that had caused trouble for years.

"I am not excited," she said immediately.

"That bad, huh?"

"I didn't say that."

"You kind of did."

Ethan laughed.

Lila grabbed a kitchen towel and threw it at him.

Unfortunately, Ryder caught it before it hit its target.

His grin widened.

And suddenly, the thought of spending the entire summer under the same roof as Ryder Black felt a lot more dangerous than it should have.

Chapter 3

Lila woke up to the smell of coffee.

For a few seconds, she stayed in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Then reality returned.

Ryder was living in the house.

The thought immediately made her pull the blanket over her face.

This was going to be a long summer.

After a few more minutes, she forced herself out of bed and headed for the shower.

By the time she came downstairs, the morning sunlight was pouring through the kitchen windows.

Lila had changed into a comfortable cream-colored lounge set that hugged her figure without being too fitted. Her dark hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and her skin still held the fresh glow of sleep.

She looked effortlessly beautiful.

Unfortunately, she had no idea.

She walked into the kitchen.

And nearly walked straight into Ryder.

"Oh!"

Ryder stepped aside just in time.

"Careful, Princess."

Lila pressed a hand against her chest.

"You almost gave me a heart attack."

"I'm standing in my own kitchen."

She blinked.

Then narrowed her eyes.

"Your kitchen?"

"For now."

A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Lila hated how unfairly attractive that grin was.

Ethan looked up from the table.

"There she is."

"Good morning."

Ethan pointed his fork at her.

"Where are you going looking like that?"

Lila frowned.

"Looking like what?"

"Like you're about to star in a commercial."

Ryder glanced up briefly.

The little girl he remembered was definitely gone.

Lila had grown into a beautiful young woman.

Confident.

Graceful.

Nothing like the child who used to follow Ethan and his friends around.

Still, the thought passed as quickly as it came.

To him, she was still Ethan's little sister.

"Ignore him," Ryder said.

"I try," Lila replied.

Ethan threw a napkin at him.

Breakfast continued with the usual chaos.

At one point, Lila reached for a piece of toast.

Only to discover Ryder had stolen it first.

"Seriously?"

"You were too slow."

"It was on my plate."

"It was on our table."

"Our table?"

Ryder nodded.

"Sharing is important."

Lila stared at him.

"I don't think that's how sharing works."

"It does when I'm hungry."

Ethan nearly choked on his coffee laughing.

By the end of breakfast, Lila was already exhausted.

And it wasn't even ten in the morning.

---

Later that afternoon, the house became busy again.

People drifted in and out as they always did during summer.

Lila was sitting on the back porch scrolling through her phone when Rebecca arrived.

Rebecca looked stunning.

A fitted blue sundress highlighted her figure perfectly, and her blonde hair shone beneath the sunlight.

She spotted Ryder immediately.

Of course she did.

"Ryder!"

Ryder looked up from where he was helping Ethan sort through a pile of tools.

"Rebecca."

She smiled.

"You didn't answer my message."

"I was asleep."

"For twelve hours?"

"I was tired."

Rebecca laughed and sat beside him.

Close enough that anyone watching would notice.

Lila looked back down at her phone.

Unfortunately, she could still hear them.

"You've gotten boring."

"I've gotten older."

"Same thing."

"No, it isn't."

"It is."

Ryder shook his head.

Rebecca bumped her shoulder lightly against his.

The gesture looked natural.

Easy.

Like something she had done a hundred times before.

Lila hated how much that bothered her.

A little while later, one of Ethan's friends joined the conversation.

Then another.

Soon the entire group was laughing.

Rebecca sat comfortably beside Ryder the whole time.

Like she belonged there.

Lila told herself she was being ridiculous.

Rebecca wasn't doing anything wrong.

Neither was Ryder.

But that didn't stop the uncomfortable feeling sitting in her chest.

---

An hour later, Lila volunteered to run a small errand for Ethan.

Mostly because she needed a break.

When she returned, she noticed something unexpected.

Across the street, Mrs. Wilson stood beside a broken fence.

The elderly woman looked frustrated.

Then Ryder appeared.

Without being asked.

Without making a big deal out of it.

He took the hammer from her hand and started helping.

For nearly forty minutes.

No audience.

No praise.

No attention.

Just helping.

Mrs. Wilson smiled the entire time.

By the time he finished, she hugged him.

Lila watched from a distance.

The sight made something warm settle inside her chest.

People loved talking about Ryder's bad-boy reputation.

The motorcycle.

The tattoos.

The smoking.

The trouble.

They never talked about this.

The side of him that quietly helped people when nobody was watching.

---

That night, the house finally became quiet.

Ethan had gone to bed.

The guests had left.

Even Rebecca had gone home.

Lila lay awake staring at the ceiling.

Sleep refused to come.

With a sigh, she slipped out of bed and headed downstairs for water.

The house was dark.

Silent.

She filled a glass and took a drink.

Then she noticed light coming from the back porch.

Curious, she walked toward it.

Ryder sat alone outside.

A cigarette rested between his fingers.

The orange glow briefly illuminated his face.

He was staring into the darkness.

Not smiling.

Not laughing.

Not joking.

For the first time since his return, he looked tired.

Really tired.

As if he were carrying something heavy.

The floorboard creaked beneath her foot.

Ryder looked over.

For a second, surprise crossed his face.

Then a faint smile appeared.

"Can't sleep?"

Lila stepped onto the porch.

"Apparently not."

Ryder glanced at the empty chair beside him.

Then back at her.

The silence stretched between them.

Quiet.

Comfortable.

Different from before.

And for the first time since Ryder had returned home, it felt like they weren't standing on opposite sides of a crowd.

It felt like they were simply two people sitting beneath the stars.

Neither of them knew it yet.

But that conversation was about to change everything.

Chapter 4

"Can't sleep?"

Lila stepped onto the porch.

"Apparently not."

Ryder glanced at the empty chair beside him.

"Join the club."

Lila sat down.

The night air was cool against her skin.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke.

The town was quiet.

Most of the houses nearby were dark.

Only the distant sound of crickets filled the silence.

Lila wrapped both hands around her glass of water.

Beside her, Ryder leaned back in his chair.

The orange glow of his cigarette briefly lit his face before fading again.

"Those things are going to kill you someday," Lila said.

Ryder looked down at the cigarette.

"Probably."

"And you're okay with that?"

"No."

"Then why smoke?"

He shrugged.

"Bad habit."

"That's a terrible excuse."

"It's the only one I've got."

Lila shook her head.

"You're impossible."

"So I've been told."

A small smile tugged at her lips.

For some reason, talking to him felt easier tonight.

Maybe because there was no audience.

No Ethan.

No Rebecca.

No group of friends talking over each other.

Just the two of them.

The way it had never been before.

"You know," she said, "you never actually fixed my finger."

Ryder frowned.

"My what?"

"The fence."

His expression remained blank for two seconds.

Then understanding appeared.

"The mango tree."

"The mango tree."

A laugh escaped him.

"I forgot about that."

"I didn't."

"You cried for almost an hour."

"It hurt."

"It was a scratch."

"It was a serious injury."

"It was absolutely not a serious injury."

Lila tried to look offended.

Failed.

And started laughing.

Ryder laughed too.

The sound was softer than usual.

Less guarded.

The moment surprised her.

For years she had imagined what it would be like to spend time alone with him.

Now that it was happening, it felt strangely normal.

Comfortable.

Not magical.

Not dramatic.

Just nice.

The realization somehow made it even more dangerous.

"How's college?" Ryder asked suddenly.

Lila blinked.

"Good."

"Good?"

"You sound disappointed."

"I expected a longer answer."

"You asked a short question."

"Fair point."

He leaned back again.

"So?"

Lila smiled.

"So what?"

"Tell me something."

She considered it.

Then began talking.

About her classes.

About the friends she had made.

About the professor who seemed to enjoy giving impossible assignments.

To her surprise, Ryder actually listened.

Not the distracted kind of listening most people did.

Real listening.

The kind that made her feel like her words mattered.

When she finally stopped talking, she realized something.

She knew almost nothing about the last two years of his life.

"You never told anyone where you went."

Ryder's gaze shifted toward the darkness beyond the yard.

"I left."

"That's not an answer."

"It wasn't supposed to be."

Lila studied him quietly.

Something changed.

Only slightly.

The easy mood from before seemed to fade.

Not completely.

Just enough for her to notice.

"You don't like talking about it."

"No."

The answer was immediate.

Simple.

Final.

Lila nodded.

She could tell when a door was closed.

So she didn't push.

Instead, she looked up at the stars.

The silence returned.

Not uncomfortable.

Just thoughtful.

A few minutes later, the back door opened.

Both of them turned.

Ethan stepped outside.

His hair looked like he had lost a fight with a tornado.

He stopped when he saw them.

Then narrowed his eyes.

"What are you two doing?"

Lila laughed.

"Existing."

"At midnight?"

"It's not midnight."

"It feels like midnight."

Ethan pointed at Ryder.

"Why are you awake?"

Ryder gestured toward the cigarette.

"Making good life choices."

"Clearly."

Then Ethan pointed at Lila.

"And you?"

"I couldn't sleep."

Ethan looked between them.

His suspicion was so obvious that both of them started laughing.

"What?" Ethan demanded.

"Nothing," Lila said.

"You're both weird."

"You say that every day."

"Because it's true."

A few minutes later, Ethan disappeared back inside.

The moment the door closed behind him, Lila and Ryder laughed again.

"He's ridiculous," she said.

"You're just figuring that out now?"

The conversation lasted another twenty minutes before they finally headed inside.

For the first time in days, Lila fell asleep smiling.

---

The next morning began with shouting.

Lila walked downstairs to find Ethan standing in the kitchen.

"I need help."

"No," Ryder said immediately.

"You don't even know what I need."

"I know enough."

Ethan ignored him and looked at Lila.

"You too."

Lila groaned.

"Why?"

"Because I asked nicely."

"You didn't."

"I was about to."

Ryder grabbed a piece of toast.

"This should be interesting."

Half an hour later, the three of them were heading into town.

Lila still wasn't entirely sure why she had agreed.

Something about picking up supplies.

Something about helping load things.

Most of Ethan's explanations stopped making sense after the first five minutes.

The afternoon passed surprisingly quickly.

They visited several stores.

Ethan complained constantly.

Ryder mocked him constantly.

And somehow, Lila found herself laughing more than she had in weeks.

For the first time, she wasn't watching Ryder from across a room.

She was actually spending time with him.

Getting to know him.

Not the bad boy everyone talked about.

The real person underneath.

As the sun began to set, they started walking back toward the truck.

Ethan had gone ahead to return a cart.

Lila followed a few steps behind.

Distracted.

Not paying attention.

Her sandal caught on a crack in the pavement.

The world tilted.

A startled gasp escaped her.

Then a hand closed around her arm.

Firm.

Steady.

Stopping her before she could fall.

Lila froze.

So did Ryder.

For one brief second, neither moved.

His hand remained around her arm.

Her heartbeat stumbled.

Then Ryder released her immediately.

"You okay?"

His voice sounded normal.

Completely normal.

As if nothing had happened.

"Yeah."

"You sure?"

She nodded.

Ryder studied her for a moment.

Then stepped back.

The little girl he remembered would have been crying by now.

The thought appeared unexpectedly.

And for some reason, it made him pause.

Because somewhere along the way, Ethan's little sister had grown up.

And he was only just beginning to notice.

The thought stayed with him all the way home.