*Isabella's POV*
His words—"I'll be home in no time"—drifted through the car like a comforting promise. They nurtured the butterflies fluttering wildly in my stomach, each beat of my heart echoing in my ears. It was strange, really—how something so simple could stir such a storm within me.
Damien's mention of Jacob's flirtatious antics made me blush unexpectedly. I hadn't realized how sensitive I was to that topic, or maybe how much I was already invested in his approval and trust. The thought of Jacob's playful teasing, of Damien's brother's intense yet unpredictable nature, suddenly felt closer, more tangible. I wondered if I'd be able to navigate that, to support Damien through it all.
Before I fully grasped what I was doing, the words slipped out of my mouth—"I'll miss you, sir." Th
