Find Your Own North

Chapter 4: The New Arrival .

The Monday morning sun was unforgiving, and so was my workload. Being a teacher meant my days were usually a blur of lesson plans and grading, but today, the staff lounge was buzzing with a different kind of energy.

"Maya, have you met the new history lead?" my friend Sarah whispered, nudging me toward the coffee machine.

I looked up just as a tall, impeccably dressed man walked in. He had a polished smile and the kind of effortless confidence that usually made me roll my eyes.

"I'm Julian," he said, stepping directly into my personal space to extend a hand. "I’ve heard you’re the one to talk to if I want to survive the first semester here."

"I'm Maya," I replied, shaking his hand. He didn't let go immediately, his eyes lingering on mine a second too long. "And survive is a strong word. We mostly just aim for 'minimal chaos.'"

Julian laughed, a rich, practiced sound. "I like you already, Maya. How about you show me the good lunch spots around here? My treat."

I was about to give my standard "I usually eat at my desk" excuse when I caught a movement by the door. Liam was standing there, holding a paper bag from my favorite bakery—our Monday morning tradition.

He had heard the whole thing.

"Oh, Liam! You’re early," I said, feeling a strange rush of guilt that I shouldn't have felt.

Liam stepped into the room, his eyes flicking briefly to Julian’s hand, which was still resting casually on the edge of my table. Liam’s jaw tightened—a small, sharp movement I only knew because I’d spent a decade studying his face.

"I didn't realize you were in a meeting," Liam said, his voice clipped. He walked over and set the bag down on my desk with a heavy thud. "I brought your almond croissant. The one you like."

"Thanks, Liam. This is Julian, the new history teacher," I introduced them.

Julian stepped forward, offering that same polished smile. "Nice to meet you. You're the... brother?"

The air in the room turned ice-cold. I saw Liam’s shoulders square, his height suddenly feeling much more imposing.

"Best friend," Liam corrected, his voice dropping an octave. He didn't smile back. He didn't even look at Julian's outstretched hand. Instead, he turned his full attention to me, leaning down slightly so he was in my space, pointedly ignoring the other man. "I'll see you at six, Maya? For our walk? Or are you too busy with 'lunch spots'?"

"Six is perfect," I said, my heart doing a weird little flip at the possessiveness in his tone.

"Good." Liam gave a curt nod to the room and walked out without a backward glance.

Julian whistled low. "Intense guy. Is he always that protective?"

I looked at the bakery bag, then at the door where Liam had disappeared. "Only when it matters," I murmured, realizing for the first time that seeing Liam jealous didn't just bother me—it thrilled me.