Toward him.
Axel felt it before she even reached them—that shift in the air, that quiet tightening in his chest that had nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with her.
Harmony stepped into the circle like she hadn’t just walked into something complicated. Like she hadn’t just seen him hours ago. Like she hadn’t told him exactly where he stood.
She didn’t look at Peyton.
Not once.
Not even by accident.
Instead, she went straight to Jake, her expression softening just slightly as she stepped into his space, wrapping her arms around him in an easy, familiar hug.
“It’s been months since you’ve come down to the creek,” Jake said as he pulled back, giving her a once-over before smiling. “You should come out tomorrow afternoon.”
Harmony smiled—genuine, but smaller now, more con
