[Eva’s POV]
I pushed open the front door and the familiar smell of Mom’s chocolate chip cookies hit me like a wave.
“Eva! Oh my baby!” She threw her arms around me and squeezed so hard I could hardly breathe. “You’re home, you’re really home. Look at you, all beautiful and grown. I missed you so much.”
I laughed into her shoulder, hugging her back. “Missed you too, Mom.”
She pulled away, holding me at arm’s length, eyes shining. “Dinner’s almost ready. Your brother’s out back finishing the lawn, but he’ll be in soon. Go freshen up, sweetheart.”
I nodded, grabbing my bag, but my feet slowed the second I stepped into the living room.
There he was.
Alex.
Sprawled on the couch in nothing but low-slung basketball shorts, skin still damp with sweat, chest rising and falling slow and stea
