Nicole’s presence brought a sense of lightness to the house that Serena didn’t realize she needed. Her friend had always been the kind of person who could make any situation feel less overwhelming, and now, with Lucas’s steady presence and Nicole’s infectious energy, Serena started to feel like herself again.
The day began quietly, with Serena and Nicole sitting on the porch, mugs of steaming coffee in hand. The early morning sunlight bathed the garden in a golden hue, and the gentle breeze carried the faint scent of flowers.
“So,” Nicole began, her tone teasing, “what’s really going on with you and Lucas?”
Serena nearly choked on her coffee. “What? Nothing is going on.”
Nicole gave her a pointed look. “Serena, I know you. You don’t just pack up your life and run away to a foreign coun
