The sun had already set by the time Ethan and Mia returned to the house. The porch light was on, casting a warm yellow glow over the wooden steps. As they walked up, they could hear laughter from inside — Aunt Lisa’s loud, infectious cackle mixed with Jake’s deeper chuckle.
Mia paused at the door, nerves twisting in her stomach. Ethan stood beside her, shoulders tense, hands shoved deep in his pockets. Neither had said much on the walk back after the café incident. The air between them still felt raw and fragile.
They stepped inside.
Lisa and Jake were already in the kitchen, setting the table together. Lisa was gesturing wildly with a wooden spoon while telling some story, and Jake was actually laughing — a real laugh, not the forced one he’d been using lately.
“Well, look who finally
