Brax's POV
The sound of the front door creaking open pulled me from my thoughts. The light-hearted banter between Kasey and me died down as I turned to see Dillon stepping into the room. His face was a mask of forced nonchalance, but I knew him too well. Something was off.
Then she appeared.
Willow stood in the doorway, her eyes searching the room before locking onto mine. My heart clenched, and an almost imperceptible distance seemed to close between us. Everyone around us faded into the background, and it was just her and me, caught in a moment suspended in time.
I took a step forward, my voice caught in my throat. "Willow," I managed to choke out, the word heavy with all the emotions I'd bottled up.
She hesitated for a second, her eyes flicking briefly to Dillon, and then back to m
