Sienna

The door swung open before we could even move.

Mom’s voice filled the house first—warm, breathless, full of that kind of joy only people who’ve just returned from a trip carry.

“Jaxon! Sienna! Come help with the bags!”

For a second, Jaxon and I just stared at each other. Neither of us moved. His hand brushed mine once, quick, like a secret goodbye before we stepped into normal life again.

I forced a smile. “Okay. Showtime.”

We hurried out to the driveway, the evening air carrying that faint chill after rain. Dad was pulling out two large suitcases from the trunk while Mom was balancing shopping bags in both...