Chapter Three

Lila’s POV

The group plan collapsed in a single group text.

Maya’s message arrived while I was already halfway across town: food poisoning, night canceled, apologies in triplicate. I stopped under a streetlight, thumbs hovering, calculating the fastest route home. Before I could pocket the phone it lit up again with a number I had not saved but already recognized.

Cole.

You’re close to my block if you still want food. I ordered extra.

No pressure in the wording. No performance. I stared at the screen longer than necessary, the residual heat from the rainy foyer still living under my skin, then typed a short acceptance before pride...