could do physically, but I wasn't on vacation with a ticking clock to get back home – no, no, no, this was home. I had all the time in the world t

so darn awesome that I found myself growing more fond of him, that I was kind of relieved that my parents Inn wasn't ready for moving in just yet. Yeah, it was only 3

!" Ethan declared as he barged into my

learly unimpressed. "

beautiful day! The lake's practically begging for us. Not to s

et-together, isn't there?" My eyebrow raised in su

eeping across his face. "...Yes," he muttered

I fit into this? Because I'm pretty sure my idea of fun doesn't i

nto the bed next to me. "I'll be there too. Sober as a judge. Plus, no Luca this time. It'l

him. "Are

er sarcastic energy to balance out Ethan's hyperactivity!'"

at what they said

ut they loved you. Seriously. You were the star of the last

s, fighting a s

s one. It won't be the same without you." Just after he said that, his gaze met mine, and there was something genui

this, I'm holding you personally

f the bed like a kid on Christmas mor

been set up, and a handful of people were lounging on blankets, laughing and chatting. Ethan wasn't kidding-everyone greeted me

med, giving me a friendly nudge.

e you," he whi

c by the fire. It wasn't the wild event I had expected, and I found myself relaxing, even enjoyin

n low-lit areas nearby. Ethan and I were watching the flames dance in the cool night air. The soft conversations around us and the crackling of the fire filled the sile

ck, he didn't look away. It was like we were having a conversatio

ng silence, leaning in just slig

come up with a ten-page motivational essay, "

it...in crayon, if I

rt and the fire cast soft shadows across his face as his hand brushed against min

sweet and magical and my breath hitched as his hand gently cupped the side of my face. When he looked into my eyes, for a brief moment, it felt lik

fter all?" he asked, smiling softly as he pulled

still fluttering.