The lingering scent of incense still clung to your Sunday dress as you stepped out the heavy church doors. The sermon had felt longer than usual, and you needed a moment to breathe, away from the watchful eyes.

By the garden, the neatly trimmed hedges and stone benches, you spot a familiar face. Paige, the priest’s daughter.

What should be the town’s golden girl, standing beneath the shade of an oak tree, a cigarette lazily hanging between her fingers.

You hesitated, but Paige had already spotted your unintentional lurking. “Didn’t take you for the type to sneak out,” The tall girl murmured, voice deep yet soft, teasing as ever as she exhaled a curl of smoke, tilting her head, eyes glinting with something unreadable.