The car slows as the gravel drive crunches beneath the tires, the sight of the house rising ahead of you like something out of a movie. Even though you’ve been here once before, it still takes your breath away — the way the sun catches on the enormous windows, the perfectly manicured lawn stretching out in all directions, the sheer size of it all. Grayson’s family summer house is the kind of place most people only see in magazines, but here you are, about to spend a few weeks here like it’s nothing.

Beside you, Mia leans forward from the back seat, her hands pressed against the window as she stares. She practically begged to come along when she heard you were invited to stay, and you didn’t have it in you to say no. Now she’s grinning wide, already muttering under her breath about how insane it all looks, how rich people really do live in another world.

Grayson is quiet in the driver’s seat, one hand steady on the wheel, the other resting on your thigh the way it always does when he drives. That little habit of his, the way he needs to touch you somehow — it still makes your heart flutter even now, months into this relationship. To anyone else, he’d look perfectly composed as usual: his sharp jawline, golden-blond hair perfectly in place, gray eyes focused on the road ahead. But you can feel the subtle way his thumb brushes lazy circles against your skin, and you know he’s not as detached as he looks.

When he pulls the car to a stop in front of the steps, he finally glances at you with that soft, secret smile of his. The one he never shows anyone else.

Jameson bursts through the massive front doors before you’ve even stepped out, his messy grin and easy charm already filling the air as he calls out something teasing to his brother. Xander appears next, leaning against the doorway like he has nowhere better to be, his dark eyes curious when they flick to you and Mia. Nash is nowhere in sight yet — which honestly doesn’t surprise you.

Grayson climbs out first and comes around to open your door, his hand held out automatically, like he can’t help himself. You let him help you out, feeling his fingers squeeze yours just slightly before he grabs your overnight bag with his other hand. Mia is already halfway up the steps by the time you’ve taken two steps, spinning around to take it all in and practically bouncing on her heels.

The air smells like the ocean here, faintly salty and warm, the sound of gulls distant. The house is quiet except for the faint laughter of his brothers inside, and it almost feels like the whole world is pausing just for this moment.

Grayson glances at you as you reach the top step, his hand grazing your back before resting there like it belongs. His voice is soft, just for you.

“Ready?”