CHAPTER ONE: SECRETS

*Elle’s POV*

The morning light poured through my bedroom window, casting a warm glow across the room and gently nudging me awake. It was a reminder that the day had officially begun, and a wide smile spread across my face.

Today was special. I’d been planning for weeks to make Jack’s birthday perfect. Jack, my brother’s best friend and my own closest friend, deserved nothing less. We’d known each other forever, growing up side by side, and yet every year, the excitement of planning something to celebrate him felt as thrilling as the first time.

I stretched my arms above my head, twisting my body this way and that, feeling the energy of the day coursing through me. With a little bounce, I hopped out of bed, my heart light and happy.

Tomorrow was Jack’s birthday, and I had a big dinner to plan. Not only was he my brother’s best friend, but he’d also become my best friend over the years. The three of us,me, my brother Luca, and Jack had grown up together in our small, tight-knit town, and those memories made today’s preparations feel even more meaningful.

I padded into my bathroom, grabbing my toothbrush and humming a favorite song softly to myself. As I brushed my teeth, I caught my reflection in the mirror. My eyes sparkled with excitement, and I could see the happiness radiating from my face. I splashed cool water on my skin, washing away the last traces of sleep, then headed to my closet.

Rummaging through my clothes, I pulled out my favorite pair of jeans and a simple white top that always made me feel good. I slipped them on, my movements quick and eager, fueled by the anticipation of the day ahead. With one last glance in the mirror, I rushed downstairs, practically buzzing with energy.

In the kitchen, my family was gathered around the table, just like every morning. We were a close bunch,my older brother Luca, me being the middle child, and my little sister Sam, who I absolutely adored. Then, of course, there were Mom and Dad, the heart of our little unit.

Our family was small, but the love we shared filled every corner of our home. We made it a point to do almost everything together, and breakfast was a sacred tradition we never skipped. Today was no different, and the familiar warmth of it made my heart swell.

“Hi, everybody!” I called out cheerfully, making my rounds to give each of them a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. My dad looked up from his coffee, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“You look way too happy this morning,” he teased, taking a sip from his mug.

I just grinned at him, sliding into my seat at the table as Mom handed me a steaming cup of coffee. The rich aroma filled my senses, and I wrapped my hands around the mug, savoring the moment.

“Of course she’s happy,” Mom said with a laugh, her voice warm and knowing. “Tomorrow’s Jack’s birthday. She’s always happier for his birthday than her own!”

Everyone burst into laughter, and I couldn’t help but join in, my cheeks flushing slightly. It was true,planning for Jack’s birthday always brought out an extra spark in me. As we chatted and laughed, Luca strolled in through the front door, coming from his house next door. He was a regular at our morning breakfasts, never missing a chance to join us. He plopped down at the table just as Mom and Dad started getting ready to head out for work.

We ate together, the conversation flowing easily as we passed around plates of toast, eggs, and fruit. The kitchen was filled with the clatter of dishes and the sound of our voices, a comforting rhythm that grounded me.

After we finished, I stood up, brushing crumbs from my jeans. I had a packed day ahead. I’d graduated college a few months ago, and now I was ready to dive into the next chapter of my life. I was set to join the family business, which Dad and Luca ran together. It was exciting to think about finally stepping into that role, earning my own money, and embracing my independence. Cheers to being a strong, independent woman, I thought to myself with a smile.

Mom, meanwhile, had her own career as a well known psychologist with a private practice, and Sam was still in high school, navigating her teenage years.

We lived in a charming little town just outside New York, in Connecticut, and I loved it here. The quiet streets, the familiar faces, the sense of community, it was home. Luca’s house was right next door to our parents’, a cozy setup that kept us close. He was single, always busy with the family business, which explained why he hadn’t settled down yet.

He was young yes, but I often felt a pang of sympathy for him, living alone in that big house. I made a mental note to get him a dog for his next birthday, something to keep him company, especially after his ex girlfriend had moved out, much to our parents’ shock.

As for me and Sam, we still lived at home, but that wouldn’t last much longer for me. I’d found an apartment just around the corner, and in two days, I’d be moving in. At twenty three, I felt ready for the responsibilities of adulthood,paying my own bills, decorating my own space, taking care of myself. It was the next step toward the independence I craved, and I could hardly wait.

As I cleared the breakfast dishes, the front door swung open, and my best friend Claire walked in. She looked stunning, as always, with her bright smile lighting up the room.

But today, I noticed something different she kept stealing glances at Luca, and he seemed to be looking right back at her. My eyebrows raised slightly. Was something going on? I’d always sensed a spark between them, the way their eyes lingered a little too long, the way they bantered with an ease that felt like more than just friendship.

Claire insisted she didn’t like him, but I wasn’t so sure. There was definitely chemistry there, even if I wasn’t an expert on the subject. Neither Claire nor I had ever had an official boyfriend, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she and Luca ended up together one day.

Claire greeted everyone with her usual cheer, giving me and Sam warm hugs. When she got to Luca, though, she looked away shyly, her cheeks tinged with pink. I smirked to myself but didn’t say anything. Instead, she followed me as we grabbed our bags and headed out together.

Claire was helping me shop for Jack’s birthday, and I was grateful for her company. We hopped into my car and drove to the mall, chatting the whole way about the plans for tomorrow.

Jack had been a constant in my life for as long as I could remember. He was Luca’s best friend, but he was also mine. Growing up, we hadn’t always gotten along there were plenty of squabbles when we were kids but as we got older, we became inseparable.

Jack was two years older than me, and he had his life together in a way that made me so proud. He ran a successful company with his father, made good money, and owned a beautiful home. From where I stood, he had it all, and I admired him for it. Whenever he wasn’t working, he was with me, hanging out, laughing, making memories. He was out of town today, which gave me the perfect opportunity to get everything ready for his birthday.

I’d realized I had feelings for Jack when I was sixteen and he was eighteen. It was that age when hormones were all over the place, and everything felt intense. I started noticing how happy he made me, how I always looked forward to seeing him, how I wanted to be around him all the time. That’s when my crush on him began, and it had only grown stronger over the years.

Our families were so close,his dad had once been the mayor of our town for nearly fifteen years, and we went to the same church, attended the same country club events, and spent holidays together. Jack was always there, a constant presence, and it was no wonder I’d fallen for him. He was my dream guy, plain and simple.

Claire knew about my crush, but I’d sworn her to secrecy. I could never tell Jack how I felt. The thought of him rejecting me, of seeing me as just his best friend’s little sister, was too much to bear. If I confessed and he didn’t feel the same, it could ruin everything.

Our friendship meant too much to me, and I wasn’t willing to risk losing him. So, I kept my feelings locked away, content to have him in my life as my friend, even if it hurt sometimes.

At the mall, Claire and I wandered through stores, picking out gifts for Jack. We grabbed a few things we knew he’d love, some gift wrap, a card, a big birthday cake, and decorations for the dinner I was planning. I’d be cooking his favorite foods tomorrow, and I wanted everything to be perfect. As we walked to the next shop, Claire gave me a knowing look.

“You know you’re going to have to tell him how you feel eventually, right?” she said, her tone gentle but firm.

I pouted, feeling a familiar wave of vulnerability wash over me. “It’s not that easy, Claire. You know he probably sees me as a little sister or just a friend.”

“But keeping it inside is eating you up,” she countered, her eyes soft with concern. “Maybe it’s worth the risk. At least you’d know, and you could move on.”

“I don’t know,” I sighed, my voice quiet. “We’ll see.”

We ended up getting distracted, shopping for ourselves a bit and grabbing some food before finishing up. I dropped Claire off at her house, which wasn’t far from mine, and drove home, my mind drifting to the gifts I’d picked out for Jack. I wondered if he’d like them, if he’d smile that big, warm smile of his when he opened them.

Being around him always made me a little nervous, like I was walking on eggshells, worried he might somehow figure out how I felt. I’d known him for so long that the fear of losing what we had was real.

When I pulled into the driveway, I was surprised to see Jack’s car parked at Luca’s house next door. He wasn’t supposed to be back in town yet! My heart raced with excitement at the thought of seeing him, but I had to be quick. I grabbed all the birthday supplies from my car, hurrying to stash them in my room where he wouldn’t see them.

Then I practically sprinted over to Luca’s house, my steps light with anticipation. I knew exactly where they’d be,hanging out in Luca’s living room, probably talking about something random like they always did.

As I approached the door, I raised my hand to knock but froze when I heard Jack’s voice, low and serious, coming from inside. Curiosity got the better of me, and I leaned closer, eavesdropping for just a moment.

“I like her,” Jack said, his deep voice carrying a weight I wasn’t used to hearing. “She’s beautiful, and I think she’s a good woman. You know, we’ve been talking for a few weeks now.”

“If you say so, man, that’s amazing,” Luca replied, his tone encouraging.

My heart skipped a beat, and I stood there, frozen outside the door, my hand still raised. Who was this ‘her’? Who had Jack been talking to? My mind spiraled with questions, a mix of confusion and dread settling in my chest. Was there another woman in his life? What about me? The thought hit me like a punch, and I felt like my whole world was about to shift.

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