Brandon’s POVI woke up with the strangest sense of calm—and the most inconvenient ache in my chest.The date replayed itself before I even opened my eyes. The shopping, the paint, the laughter, the billiards game… The way the night seemed to stretch without either of us trying to hold onto it. How we’d walked to the parking lot together, hands full, steps slow, neither of us quite ready to say goodbye.I remembered standing there under the mall lights, the space between us charged and obvious. I’d wanted to kiss her. God, I’d wanted to. The thought had sat right there on my tongue.But I hesitated.And Natalie—graceful, unreadable Natalie—had just smiled, soft and knowing, and said goodbye like she understood exactly what I was doing. Or not doing.This Sunday morning, I didn’t have anywhere to be. I was tempted to visit her at her home, but that would be too soon, right? It might scare her off. I didn’t plan to go to the lakehouse, though. But somehow, I just… found myself turning
Last Updated : 2026-01-08 Read more