Serena’s POVWe finally met.I’m sitting across from James at a small, quiet café, the kind of place where no one looks twice at you, and the noise level hovers just below a low hum. Bill is beside me, but James is the one I’m focused on. He’s not exactly what I expected. For someone with a past in
Serena’s POVThe last few weeks pass in a blur.Business has exploded in ways I didn’t see coming, and I can barely keep up with the demand. Stevie and I are practically running on fumes, but there’s this undercurrent of excitement, like we’re on the verge of something big. The kind of big that chan
Serena’s POV“How could my father drag you into this?” Matt’s voice is tight with frustration, the anger clear in his eyes. He’s pacing, running a hand through his hair like he’s trying to piece it all together.I cross my arms, feeling the tension coil tighter in my chest. “Matt, I’m already deep i
Serena’s POVThis is bad. Really bad.I sit in the corner of a quiet cafe, my hands wrapped around a warm cup of coffee, but it doesn’t bring me any comfort. Across from me, Bill is fuming, his jaw clenched so tight I’m surprised he hasn’t cracked a tooth. James, calm as ever, is sitting next to him
Serena’s POVDamn, I need to focus.We’re in the middle of another sparring session, Bill and I, and every time he moves, my mind betrays me, focusing more on the way his muscles ripple than on his punches. The tension between us has been building for weeks, and now, it feels like it’s about to boil
Serena’s POVI can’t think. I can barely breathe.Bill’s lips crash against mine again, hungrier this time, more demanding. His body is pressed so tightly against mine that I feel like I’m melting into him. Every part of me is on fire, burning with a need I’ve been pushing down for so long, but now
Serena’s POVI’m lying on the mat, staring at the ceiling. For a moment, I’m out of breath. My pulse is still racing, and every nerve feels like it’s been reset. I barely even feel the coolness of the mat beneath me. Bill lies next to me. Neither of us says anything and I feel the warmth of his arm
Serena’s POVBill’s mansion feels different tonight like the walls are holding secrets. I can sense it even as I sit on the edge of the leather couch, scrolling through the same cryptic message over and over.He’s closer than you think. Just five words, but they keep me up half the night.Bill paces
Stevie’s POVThe second we step onto the dance floor, I realize I’ve made a mistake. Calvin doesn’t just dance — he moves like he’s got something to prove, and my body is all too willing to keep up. His hand slides to my waist, firm and deliberate, pulling me close enough that I feel the heat radiat
Stevie’s POVThere’s something about an open bar and a wedding dress code that just makes people lose their damn minds, and honestly? I’m here for it. After my speech, I’ve earned the right to let loose, and by let loose, I mean dance like a maniac and drink just enough to get tipsy, not trashed. Th
Calvin’s POVThe whiskey glass feels cool against my hand, the amber liquid catching the light as I swirl it lazily. The clinking ice is oddly comforting, a quiet sound in contrast to the laughter and music filling the reception. I’m sitting at the bar, a little removed from the crowd. It’s better t
Serena’s POVThe lights dim, and the chatter of the reception quiets as the opening notes of "Crazier" by Taylor Swift float through the air. Bill takes my hand, his grip steady, and leads me to the center of the dance floor. The spotlight feels warm, but it’s nothing compared to the way he’s looki
Stevie’s POVThe mic feels heavier in my hand than I expected, which is dumb because it’s a mic, not a damn kettlebell. I stand in the middle of the reception, the crowd staring at me like I’m about to announce the next lottery numbers. My palms are sweaty, but there’s no way I’m letting anyone kno
Bill’s POVThe sand is warm beneath me, even as the day starts to cool. Serena’s hand is in mine, her fingers soft and familiar, like they were always meant to fit there. Collin is a few feet away, crouched in the sand and completely in his own world. He’s got a bucket in one hand and a tiny shovel
Serena’s POVThe cheers and clapping swell around us as Bill and I walk back down the aisle, hand in hand. I can’t stop smiling, and from the way his thumb brushes over mine, I know he’s feeling the same. The sun warms my skin, the sand is soft under my bare feet, and for the first time in what feel
Bill’s POVThe officiant starts talking, but honestly, I barely hear a word. Serena is standing so close to me now, her hand in mine, and that’s all I can focus on. She looks at me like I’m the only thing that matters, her eyes shining with something I don’t even know how to put into words. It’s ov
Serena’s POVThe sun is warm on my skin as my dad loops his arm through mine, steadying me. My heart is racing, but I’m not sure if it’s nerves or excitement. Probably both. The waves crash softly behind us, the sound grounding me in a way nothing else can. I glance down at the bracelet on my wrist—