Tiffany wasn’t sure when Cole started staying around her more. It began with quick check-ins, harmless little moments. But lately, he was everywhere. Not in a suffocating way—just... present. A steady rhythm to her chaos.
He entered the kitchen that afternoon, holding out the necklace she’d forgotten on the bathroom counter.
“You left this.”
His voice was casual, but something in the way he looked at her lingered.
She took it, fingers brushing his. “Thanks.”
They held each other's gaze a second too long.
“You okay?” he asked quietly. “You’ve been... distant.”
Tiffany almost said you have no idea, but swallowed it down.
“I’m fine.”
Cole didn’t look convinced. He glanced toward the hallway, then back at her. “My dad’s not around, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
The mention of
