CHAPTER FOUR

I opened my eyes to the sound of shuffling. It was Zara.

“Hi… it’s been a minute. Where have you been?” I asked.

“Sorry you didn’t hear from me. I had some business to handle at home. I meant to leave you a note, but I got occupied and forgot.”

She was already halfway through unpacking as I sat up, blinking sleep from my eyes.

I stretched, the soreness in my body reminding me of how much rest I’d needed. “Welcome back,” I said, leaving her to settle in as I called Annabel to tell her about the trip to my sister’s place.

Days later, Annabel and I packed up for the trip to Eva’s house. We only had a week away from school before the hustle and bustle began.

“Girl,” Annabel said as we dragged our duffel bags into the cab, “your sister’s house better have food because I’m starving already.”

I laughed. “Eva practically lives in the kitchen. You’ll be fine.”

The drive took about an hour. When we pulled up to the gate, Eva came rushing out, all smiles and open arms.

“My baby!” she squealed, hugging me so tightly I could barely breathe.

“Eva, oxygen!”

She laughed, then pulled Annabel into a hug. “Ann, sweetheart, it’s so nice to see you again.”

“Thank you,” Annabel grinned. “This place is gorgeous!”

I glanced around for Ian before asking. Eva noticed. “Oh, he’s out—had a meeting to attend.”

We got our things inside and settled in. A few minutes later, Eva called us for dinner. We were midway through eating and chatting when we heard a car pull in.

I listened as the engine cut off and the door clicked shut. When he stepped inside, my breath caught.

“Hey, everyone,” Ian said, wearing that easy, polite smile. “Smells amazing.”

“Welcome home, honey,” Eva said, standing to kiss him. My throat tightened at the sight.

He greeted Annabel, then turned to me. “Felicia,” he said softly—or maybe I imagined it. “Good to see you again.”

I swallowed. “You too.”

He sat down as Eva dished his meal. Every time I looked up, he was already looking at me. Each time our eyes met, heat spread through my body.

The next few days blurred together—morning coffee runs with Eva, lazy afternoons by the pool, and movie nights that always ended late. Annabel blended in easily, and I was relieved not to babysit her.

I also had too much time to think about him.

I found myself looking forward to his presence, unable to focus on anything else—his laughter, the way his hand brushed mine when he passed me a plate, the faint scent of his cologne when he walked by. It was crippling.

One night, Eva went upstairs early, Annabel following soon after. I stayed back to clean the kitchen, stacking plates and washing them, trying to keep my thoughts clear.

Ian walked in just as I finished drying my hands.

“You don’t have to do that,” he said softly.

“It’s fine,” I murmured, avoiding his eyes. “It helps me think.”

He leaned against the counter, watching me. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

My breath hitched. “No, I haven’t.”

He stepped closer, the air between us thickening. “Yes, you have.”

I turned to walk past him, but his hand caught my wrist. The room went completely still.

“Felicia…” he said. “About that day at the mall…”

“It was nothing,” I said too quickly.

“Was it?”

I made the mistake of looking up. His eyes swallowed me whole. Something inside me snapped, every wall I’d been trying to hold.

Before I could process it, he kissed me.

I froze then gave in for a heartbeat before pulling away, panic crashing in. “Ian,” I whispered. “You’re….Eva is my sister.”

He stepped back, running a hand through his hair, guilt flashing across his face. “I know. I shouldn’t have. I just…..”

“I shouldn’t have let you,” I cut in, my voice shaking. “This can’t…..”

We stood in silence, both struggling for words.

“Goodnight,” I finally whispered.

“Goodnight,” he replied.

I didn’t sleep that night. Every nerve in my body was alive. I touched my lips where he had kissed me and lost my breath.

By morning, I was a mess. I’d barely slept. I tried to keep things light at breakfast, but Ian’s presence across the table made it impossible.

That afternoon, Eva suggested we go out for ice cream. I agreed too quickly. I needed air—distance from this house.

“I’ll be out waiting for you,” I called to Annabel as I walked toward the living room.

The moment I stepped inside, a hand grabbed my waist and pulled me back.

“Felicia…” Ian’s voice was strained. “I can’t stay away from you anymore. I want you. I want you now.”

Before I could respond, Annabel burst into the room.

“Felicia!” she said, scanning the space. “Have you seen my purse? I think it’s….”

Her voice trailed off as she spotted us.

I pulled away immediately, pretending to dust something off Ian’s shirt.

She squinted, suspicious. “I was asking about my purse.”

“It should be on the floor by the bedside,” I said quickly. “I think I saw it there.”

She nodded, but not before giving us both a look.

When she disappeared down the hallway, I let out a shaky breath. “That was close.”

“Too close,” I whispered.

For the rest of the week, we avoided being alone, speaking only when necessary. When it was finally time to leave, Eva hugged me tightly.

“Visit soon, okay? Don’t forget us.”

“I won’t.”

Ian helped load our bags into the cab. Annabel climbed in first, already talking about how much she missed campus food.

I lingered.

“Felicia,” Ian said quietly, hands still on the door.

“Yeah?”

He hesitated, then gave a faint smile. “I’ll come visit, drop by campus when things settle.”

I nodded, unsure whether I wanted that or feared it. “Okay.”

“Take care of yourself,” he said softly, stepping back as the cab pulled away.

The drive back was filled with Annabel’s chatter. When we arrived, I stepped out and stretched.

“See you later, Fifi!” Annabel waved, heading toward her dorm.

“Yeah, see you,” I replied.

I was halfway to my building when someone called out, “Felicia!”

I turned.

Jake was jogging toward me, hair slightly tousled, a grin spreading across his face.

“Hey! I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” he said, slightly breathless.

I blinked, caught off guard.

“Jake,” I managed, forcing a smile. “Hey.”

He grinned wider, eyes warm. “Welcome back.”