Samantha’s POV
When we returned to the house after spending hours exploring our small town, I found myself glancing at Julian in a different light.
He wasn’t as aloof or unapproachable as I’d initially thought. He was just someone life had knocked around, someone who hadn’t yet met a person who could truly see him for who he was.
As we walked into the house, Mom was there to greet us at the door. Her smile was bright, and her eyes sparkled with that curious energy she always had.
“Did you two have fun outside?” she asked, her tone warm but inquisitive.
I turned to Julian, and we exchanged a glance. His small smirk mirrored the amusement in my eyes, and we both nodded at the same time.
Mom clapped her hands together lightly. “Good, good.” Then she turned to me.
“Sam, I need to talk
