urled around a glass of sparkling cider, the bubbles catching the glow of string lights strung above. It was her twenty-third birthday, and the backyard was aliv

open house, but Lila would've preferred pizza with Mia at The Salty Bean. Still,

was late, probably wrestling with a canvas or her ancient car, and Claire was holding court by the buffet, her laughter sharp and practiced. But Evan-Evan was impossible to ignore. He stood near the railing, a beer i

a whirlpool of feeling. Every glance, every word from him felt like a secret only they shared. She'd told herself to stop-Mia's warn

ver, her blonde hair sleek, her dress a tailored cream that screamed success. "Mrs. Ellison wan

er grip tightening on

e wear heels. Makes a better impression." She turned to Evan, her smile tight

of tension in his jaw. "Got it," he said, his voice even, but his

ool research, but her mind was on Evan-on the way he'd called the boat sturdy, like her, on the way his presence felt like the only steady thing in this sea of stranger

sing moon. The party's hum faded, and for a moment, she was alone with the sea, her oldest fr

voice low, teasing, but with a ge

ng despite herself. "You caught me

ll his cedar-and-salt scent, feel the heat of his arm near hers. "Co

y, her cheeks warming. "Flatterer. You

ded. "Guilty. But I'd rather be here w

r, the cider's bubbles fizzing against her fingers. "Careful," she sai

"Claire notices a lot of things," he said, his tone quieter

s felt too big, too risky. Instead, she followed his gaze to the ocean, the waves a mirror of her own

ling's edge. "Possibility," he said finally. "Like any

Home. But also... freedom. Like it

pulling them closer. "You're already something more, Lila," he said, his voice so

her palm. She wanted to say something, to bridge the gap between them, but the sound of laughter bro

crowd, a gift bag swinging from her hand. "Happy

er as she hugged Mia. "You made it.

arfish obsession. Figured you could use it." Her eyes flicked to Evan, sharp an

his eyes guarded. "Wouldn't dream of it. J

push. "Good. Lila, come dance with

his expression unreadable. "Go on," he said.

pop Claire had chosen, and Mia pulled Lila into a goofy twirl, her laughter infectious. For a moment, Lila let herself get lost in it, spinning under the stri

pping her fingers. "You're a m

g a smile. "Just... birthda

oo many feelings. I saw you with Evan. Be careful,

choing her own fears. "I know," she w

s presence nearby, a quiet anchor. Claire raised a glass, her smile radiant but practiced. "To my beautiful daughter, Lila, on her twenty-

soft and unguarded, she felt the weight of Claire's words-love, dreams, everything she couldn't have. The moment stre

"You've got this," but Lila wasn't so sure. As the party swirled around her, the ocean's call grew louder, a