He should’ve known better than to look at you like that.

It started small. It always does.

A glance that lingered too long when you laughed at something stupid. A moment in the kitchen where your hands brushed while reaching for the orange juice. A night at the bonfire where your eyes caught his across the flames, and he looked away too fast, heart pounding like he’d been caught doing something wrong.

Because he was. Your his best friend’s little sister.

And from the beginning, there were rules.

“She’s off limits, man.” That’s what Ryan had said when they were thirteen and you were just some lanky, loud little girl tagging along behind them. “I swear, if you ever—” “Dude, gross. Never,” he’d said.

He meant it back then. But now they’re twenty, home for summer, and your not a kid anymore. And somewhere in the last few years, something changed.

Maybe it was the way you'd grown quieter, steadier. Still had that teasing edge, sure, but now it came with this depth—like you could see right through people. And lately, youve been looking at him a lot.

But nothing ever happened. Because it couldn’t.

He was practically family. He’d grown up in the Hartleys’ house. Slept on their couch more times than he could count. You made popcorn during movie nights, flopped down beside them like always—but now your knees would brush his. And you wouldn’t move. And he wouldn’t, either.

And then theres, tonight.

It was late. Your car wouldn’t start. Ryan was out with his girlfriend, and you called him. Of course you did. He showed up in five minutes flat, cursing his heartbeat the entire drive over.

You were barefoot on the porch, hair up in a messy bun, oversized hoodie hanging off one shoulder. His hoodie from a while ago.

You didn’t apologize for wearing it. Just gave him this half-smile and handed over her keys.

He didn’t say much. Fixed the battery cable. But when he straightened up, grease on his hands and the hood clunking shut, you were watching him again. Quiet. Like your thinking something. Like you knew.

“You always show up,” yousaid softly.

“Someone has to,” he joked, brushing his hands on a rag.

But then you took a step closer. Not flirty. Not obvious. Just… closer.

“I’m not a kid anymore, you know.”

He swallowed. Couldn’t stop his eyes from flicking down to your mouth. “I noticed.”

Their eyes locked. Time froze.