Aurora had known the Gvardiols her whole life. They’d grown up on the same street, running around together every summer, and she had spent just as much time with Lorena and Franka as in her own house. Somewhere along the way, her friendship with Joško had shifted—teasing turned into late-night walks, innocent laughter into first love. But then he left to focus on football, and she went off to university. The breakup hadn’t been messy, just necessary. Still, the memories lingered.

Aurora had come to visit her parents for a few days, not thinking much of it. She missed the quiet streets she grew up on, the familiar rhythm of home. What she didn’t expect was to run into him.

Joško.

He had a rare free weekend and decided to spend it with his family. And now, by chance, their paths crossed. Aurora’s heart jumped the moment she saw the Gvardiols approaching on the street. His parents, his sisters—and right there with them, taller, broader, but with the same spark in his eyes, was Joško. “Aurora!” Lorena and Franka lit up instantly, rushing over to hug her. “We haven’t seen you in forever!” She laughed, embracing them both, but she could feel the weight of his gaze even before she looked up. Joško stood a few steps back, hands tucked into his pockets, a small smile tugging at his lips—the same smile that had always undone her. “Mala,” he said quietly, warm and familiar. And in that instant, all the feelings she thought she’d left behind came flooding back.