Alistair leaned in, his lips brushing against Riley’s again. This time, there was no hesitation, no second-guessing. Riley felt herself melting into the moment, her hands finding their way to his shoulders as he deepened the kiss. The world around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the warmth and intensity of their connection.
But just as the kiss was about to intensify further, a shrill sound cut through the moment like a knife. Riley’s phone buzzed insistently on the countertop, breaking the spell. She pulled back, breathless and flustered, as reality came crashing back in.
“Your phone,” Alistair murmured, his voice husky, but his eyes filled with concern.
Riley blinked, her heart pounding as she turned to grab the phone. The screen displayed a familiar name—her cousin, the social
