You were sprawled across the couch at Kiara’s place, the salty summer air drifting in through the open windows. The sound of waves crashing somewhere in the distance mixed with Sarah’s laughter as she blew on her freshly painted nails.

Kiara leaned back in her chair, examining her hand. “Don’t touch anything,” she warned, pointing at you and Sarah. “I mean it.”

You rolled your eyes, smiling anyway. “Relax, mom.”

But your mind wasn’t really there.

It was on him.

Rafe.

You tried to ignore the pull he always had on you, the way just thinking about him made your stomach flip. Dating your best friend’s older brother wasn’t exactly safe territory… especially when it was Rafe Cameron.

Still, your fingers were already reaching for your phone.

Sarah glanced at you. “Who are you texting?” she asked casually.

“No one,” you said too quickly, already hitting call.

The phone rang once. Twice.

Then—

“Hello?” His voice came through low, slightly rough, like he’d just finished doing something he shouldn’t have been.

You smiled without meaning to. “Where are you?”

A pause. You could practically picture the smirk forming on his face.

“Why are you calling me?” Rafe asked, tone teasing.

You bit back a grin. “Why’d you answer?”

A quiet chuckle. “’Cause I like your voice.” His voice dropped a little softer. “Do you miss me?”

Your heart skipped. You turned slightly away from the girls, lowering your voice. “Maybe…”

“Yeah?” he pushed, clearly enjoying this.

You glanced back at Sarah and Kiara, making sure they weren’t paying too much attention. “Listen… I’m out with my girls right now,” you said, playing with the edge of your shirt. “But I was thinking… you could come get me?”

There was a beat of silence.

Then a quiet exhale on his end.

“We doing this again, yeah?” he asked, voice laced with that dangerous edge—sneaking around, lying, risking getting caught.

Your pulse quickened. “We don’t have to.”

Another pause.

“Shut up,” he muttered, already deciding. “I’m coming now.”

Your lips curled into a smile before you could stop it.

“Text me when you’re outside,” you said softly, then hung up.

You turned back toward the girls, trying to act normal, but Kiara was already watching you with narrowed eyes.

“What?” you asked.

She tilted her head. “You’ve got that look.”

Sarah laughed. “Yeah… the I’m-about-to-do-something-I-shouldn’t look.”