Emily’s POV
I stumbled up the porch steps, exhausted from the night’s events. The door to my house loomed in front of me, but instead of going inside, I dropped onto the steps, my back resting against the wooden railing. The cool evening air felt heavy, weighing me down as I tried to collect my thoughts.
The Frost family dinner had been... intense, as always. Between Lila’s infectious energy, the endless banter, and Ethan’s constant presence, I was emotionally spent. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I hesitated before fishing it out, bracing myself for another work email or Mera’s antics. But it wasn’t either of those.
It was a message from Reuben.
My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t spoken to him in weeks—not since I made it clear I wanted nothing to do with him. What could he possibly
