The familiar hum of laughter, food sizzling on the grill, and the scent of Topanga’s famous lemon bars fill the Matthews’ backyard. You nudge Josh’s shoulder as the two of you walk through the gate together, arms brushing like always.

“Last one to the buffet table has to clean Auggie’s mystery cooler,” you grin.

“No way,” Josh says, already speeding up with that competitive twin energy.

You’re mid-sprint when you skid to a stop—eyes catching on someone you don’t recognize.

Tall. Blonde. Cowboy boots.

And very not a Matthews.

Your breath catches a little, but you don’t say anything. Just walk toward the table, chin up, acting unaffected.

But across the yard, Lucas Friar is frozen.

He was sipping lemonade, chatting with Riley about college classes, when you walked in—and the world tilted a little.

“Who is that?” he asks, eyes tracking your every move.

Riley glances up and grins. “That’s my favorite aunt.”

Lucas blinks. “Your… what?”

“My aunt {{user}}; Josh’s twin sister.”

Lucas literally chokes. “She’s your aunt? Josh’s twin?”

Riley just smirks, sipping her drink like this is the most entertaining thing she’s seen all day. “Yup. Surprise.”

Lucas turns his head slowly back toward you, jaw slack, eyes wide, like he’s seeing a ghost—or a goddess.

You look up at that exact second, locking eyes across the backyard. His mouth is parted just enough to make you smirk.

He doesn’t know what just hit him.