Chapter 1

Daphne’s pov

I’ve been in love with him for as long as I can remember. Stefan,My best friend’s brother. The one I trailed around like a shadow when I was ten, the one I thought would always be just out of reach.

I told myself it would go away. That I’d grow up, find someone else, move on. But seeing him now — just across the room, hair falling into his eyes, that half-smile that used to make me melt in seconds — all of that pretending crumbled.

My chest tightened. My stomach twisted. My body betrayed me in ways I had no control over. I wanted him. Desperately. Every nerve screamed it. My skin burned, my thighs ached, and I realized, with terrifying clarity, that my body had never stopped craving him.

“Daphne?” My best friend’s voice cut through my haze. Her eyes followed mine, sharp and curious. “What are you staring at?”

I forced a smile. “Nothing… I wasn’t staring at anything.”

“Liar,” she snapped, rolling her eyes. “Anyway, I want to let you know my brother is back. He should be here any moment now.” Before I could respond, she added, “Oh, he’s here,” waving her hand toward him. My hands trembled, my nerves threatening to swallow me whole. I think I forgot how to breathe.

“Bianca. Daphne,” he said as he reached us, and I deliberately avoided his gaze. “You both have gotten taller,” he added, happiness lacing his tone.

Bianca squealed and threw her arms around him. “You’re finally back!”

I froze. Then his arms were around me too — firm, warm, smelling like rain and cedar. My heart thudded so hard I forgot to breathe.When he finally pulled back, our eyes met. My mouth parted, but no words came out.

“Daphne,” he said, his voice soft but firm, pulling me out of my daze. “Are you okay?” Concern laced every syllable.

“I… I… I’m just shocked to see you here,” I stammer, forcing an awkward smile. His concern melts into a small, easy grin, and I feel my stomach flutter.

“It’s been so long since I left home. I’m really happy to be back,” he says, his gaze lingering on me. If he keeps looking at me like that, I honestly don’t know what I’ll do.

“Come along with me. Everyone’s excited to see you,” Bianca interrupts, breaking our gaze as she takes him by the arm. I exhale a shaky sigh of relief and follow behind them, watching as he greets everyone in the family. Their smiles are wide, laughter spilling, and I can’t tear my eyes away from him.

At the dinner table, my gaze follows him like a magnet. He catches me staring, flashes a smile, and I quickly look away, cheeks burning. His parents pepper him with questions about college, and I secretly rejoice that not a single girl is mentioned. My mind races with delusions, imagining that he might finally see me not just as his sister’s best friend, but as a woman.

Dinner ends all too quickly, and it’s time for me to leave.

“Do you really have to go?” Bianca whines as soon as I step outside.

“I didn’t tell Mom I’d be sleeping over,” I mumble, though the truth is, I can’t imagine sleeping there with him still in the house.

“It doesn’t matter—she knows you’re here,” Bianca complains. Before I can answer, Stefan steps out, and my breath catches in my throat.

“Are you heading home?” His voice is calm, measured, but my chest tightens at the sound.

“Yes,” I murmur, forcing a faint smile.

“That’s a shame. We didn’t get to really catch up,” he says, smiling softly. He hands me a bag. “Here—this is for you and your mom,” he says, then offers another. “And this is for your sister.”

“Thank you. I’ll give it to them,” I reply, clutching the bags a little too tightly, smiling back at him.

“We’ll see each other soon,” he says, and I watch him walk away, heart pounding, every step imprinting itself into my memory.

“See you in college, Bianca,” I say, waving goodbye. My ride is already waiting outside.

I get home in no time. The house is quiet—Mom and my sister are already asleep—so I head straight to my room. I change into my pajamas and slide under the covers, but my eyes remain fixed on the ceiling. My thoughts are consumed by him. I can’t stop thinking about him. I can’t sleep.

My hand drifts to my drawer, and I pull out my vibrator. My body reacts before my mind can protest. I lower my pajama bottoms, turn it on, and press it to my clit.

A gasp escapes me. My eyes squeeze shut, and in my mind, there’s only him—every curve, every glance, every stolen smile. My legs tremble. My hips grind against the sheets. I clutch the bed sheets as my body arches, pulsing with need, climbing higher and higher.

“Fuck… Stefan,” I moan, my voice trembling as I come undone. The smile on my face is unmistakable—pure satisfaction.

“I love you,” I whisper to myself, letting exhaustion wash over me, the room silent except for my ragged breaths.

The next morning, I woke up before my alarm. I got ready for college, and the smile on my face didn’t fade once. I dressed a little nicer than usual, added makeup bolder than usual, and tied my hair back in a ponytail.

Just as I was about to leave, I remembered the gift Stefan had given me. I grabbed the bag and went downstairs. Mom and Bella were already at the breakfast table.

“You’re up early,” Mom said, smiling when she saw me.

“I guess I woke up on the right side today,” I replied. “Here, this is for you,” I said, handing the bag to Bella, who barely looked up from her phone. Her eyes widened in confusion.

“Where did you get this?” she asked.

“Stefan. He’s back,” I said, watching her reaction. Her eyes widened in shock. “You seem surprised. I thought you said you never wanted him to come back,” I added, amusement lacing my tone.

“That’s why I’m in shock,” she said. “He came back… and he got me a gift? Eww.” I rolled my eyes; they’d never gotten along.

“He got you this, Mom,” I said, handing the gift to her.

“That’s so sweet of him,” she said, collecting it. “Here, it has your name on it too,” she added, taking out a box. I remembered the gift was for both of us and gently took it from her, slipping it into my bag.

I ate only a little before leaving for college.

“Daphne!” Bianca screamed my name as soon as she saw me. I couldn’t help but smile, her excitement contagious. We walked in together, and I was eager for the lectures to end. Bianca had mentioned her entire family was coming to our house tonight—she hadn’t said why—but I knew one thing: Stefan would be there, and that was all that mattered.

After college, I went straight home to get ready. I dressed a little more than usual and stayed in my room for a while, trying to calm my nerves. A soft knock at the door made me jump slightly. I opened it to see Bianca.

“You’re here already?” I said, smiling.

“Technically, it’s 7 p.m.,” she replied. I hadn’t realized how much time had passed. “You look so beautiful tonight. One would think you’re the bride-to-be,” she added, teasing. I frowned, confused, before she grabbed my hand.

“We should go before they start without us,” she said, pulling me downstairs. My smile widened at the sight of Stefan.

“Oh, good! Daphne is here. Now the whole family is here to witness my daughter’s engagement,” Mom announced. My smile froze.

“Engagement? What are you talking about, Mom?” I asked, confusion clawing at me.

“Your sister is getting engaged to Stefan,” she said casually. My eyes went wide, my stomach dropping.

“What?!”