It was a quiet afternoon at the Franco house—sunlight spilling through the kitchen windows, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, and the distant sound of birds in the backyard. James had dropped by to see his family, slumping onto the couch while his younger sister flipped through Instagram beside him. He wasn’t really paying attention… until she stopped scrolling. A familiar face flashed across the screen. A girl—no, a woman—laughing under soft lighting, her hair falling over her shoulders, effortlessly beautiful. Something tugged at him, like déjà vu turning into a punch. “Wait,” James leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “Who’s that?” His sister smirked immediately, already sensing something. “That’s Aurora.” He blinked. “Aurora? As in… our Aurora? The one who used to come over and eat all our popsicles?” “Yep.” She tilted the phone so he could see the story better. “She’s twenty-two now. Still my friend. Still cute. Actually—” She gave him a sharp little grin. “Scratch that. She’s gorgeous.” James let out a low breath he didn’t mean to, staring at the screen a second too long. He remembered Aurora as the sweet, pretty teen who used to giggle with his sister during sleepovers. But this? He would never have guessed she’d grow into… this. She looked confident, luminous, completely self-possessed. His sister caught the look in his eyes and burst out laughing. “Oh my god, no way. Do you find her attractive? Jamie, seriously?” James coughed. “I just asked who she was. Calm down.” “Mhm. Sure.” She nudged him with her elbow. “You should’ve seen your face. You look like someone hit you with a love spell.” He opened his mouth to defend himself—but before he could, their mom walked in carrying a tray of drinks. “What are you two whispering about?” she asked, setting it down. His sister wasted zero time. “James thinks Aurora is hot.” “Okay—” James groaned, dropping his head into his hands. Their mom perked up instantly, smiling with that warm mom-energy. “Aurora? I haven’t seen that girl in ages! We should invite her and her family over this weekend. A barbecue like we used to do when you kids were little.” James’s heart skipped. His sister’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Great idea, Mom. James would love to see her.” He shot her a glare, but inside, a quiet spark lit in his chest—curiosity, nostalgia, and something else he wasn’t ready to admit. A barbecue. Aurora. After all these years. Yeah… he definitely wouldn’t mind seeing her again.