The morning sun felt too bright, too cheerful for the heaviness in Claire’s chest. She stood in the driveway of the Hudson house, arms wrapped tightly around herself as she watched Xander load the last of his bags into the sleek black SUV. Allen was already in the driver’s seat, the rest of the Avila pack members who were heading to Harvard Business School waiting in the convoy behind him. The air hummed with excitement for them — new beginnings, new challenges, the future unfolding.
But for Claire, it felt like the end of something precious.
Xander turned toward her, his emerald eyes softening the moment they met hers. He crossed the distance in a few long strides and pulled her into his arms, holding her as if he could imprint the feeling of her body against his forever.
“I’m going to
