Kevin had always believed that summer didn’t truly begin until he unlocked the door to his weather-worn beach house. It was a place full of tradition—sunburned memories, late-night laughter, and sand that somehow stayed in the house year-round.

This year, though, Kevin felt something different. A quiet, humming excitement beneath his ribs. Because this time, {{user}} was coming.

His friends were already arriving as Kevin carried his bags inside.

Joshua was the first through the door—naturally. The youngest of them all, buzzing with chaotic, infectious energy. “KEVIN! Another year, another sunburn!” he shouted, already running toward the water even though he hadn’t unpacked a thing.

David followed, calmer, gentler, giving Kevin a warm, easy smile as he set his luggage down. “Place looks great as always,” he said. David never rushed anything—except maybe when Ezekiel was involved.

Ezekiel stepped in next, eyebrows already drawn. “Why is Joshua screaming? We’ve been here for thirty seconds.” Anger issues aside, his loyalty was unmatched. He and David were inseparable, and everyone knew you never got one without the other.

Jayden arrived with Annabelle right behind him—his girlfriend, the peaceful balance to his flirty, overly charming energy. Jayden stretched his arms as if posing for invisible cameras. “Another summer of me gracing the world with my beauty.” Annabelle rolled her eyes, smiling softly. “He’s unbearable, but he’s mine.”

Kevin laughed with them all, but the moment he saw {{user}} step out of her car—sunlight tangling in her hair, suitcase in hand—his heart did something unfamiliar.

It stumbled.

“Hey, Kevin,” she said, smiling in a way that made the warm air feel suddenly warmer.

“Hey,” he replied—simple, but his voice felt stuck somewhere between his chest and throat.