Chapter 4: Smoke, Laughter, and That Summer

(Eden’s POV)

The backyard smelled like smoke, salt, and grilled ribs.

Kids ran barefoot through the grass with popsicles dripping down their arms, music played low from a Bluetooth speaker near the cooler, and somewhere behind me, Harper was already on her second glass of white wine, explaining floral arrangements to a cousin who clearly didn’t care.

I stayed near the drinks table, my sangria cup still full, fingers trailing the condensation while I watched the twins from a distance.

They were helping Dad carry a folding table across the lawn, one on each end, biceps flexing under soft cotton shirts like it was nothing. A bead of sweat ran down Luca’s neck, disappearing beneath his collar. Levi said something and they both laughed. It was easy, practiced—like they hadn’t missed a beat in all the years that passed.

I should’ve looked away. Should’ve joined the group near the fire pit or found Harper to pretend I was needed for something.

Instead, I stood still. Watching. Wanting.

It was always like this.

Even when we were kids.

⸻

One summer—maybe I was thirteen? Fourteen?

The neighborhood had organized one of those chaotic, full-block water fights. Buckets, balloons, hoses—total madness. Harper, of course, had been in the middle of it, commanding a group of girls like a pint-sized general. And me? I was clinging to the side of our fence, trying not to get drenched in the crossfire.

I was wearing a pale blue sundress I hadn’t wanted to get wet. My hair was in two messy braids. And I’d been watching Luca refill water balloons when I heard someone shout behind me.

“Get her!”

A wave of shrieking laughter erupted as three older boys from down the block charged in my direction with a giant plastic bucket.

I froze.

But before the freezing cold hit me, two shadows stepped in front of me—one tall and calm, the other grinning like he was born for mischief.

“Wrong target,” Levi said, grabbing the nearest boy and spinning him around.

Luca held up his hands, blocking the stream from a hose with his body. “Seriously? She’s not even playing.”

The ambush broke up with mock groans and more squeals. In the chaos, I stood behind them, breathless and confused—staring at the backs of the twins who had just casually, confidently, protected me.

Not because I was Harper’s little sister. Not because they had to.

Just… because.

That was the first time I really looked at them. Not as the boys who showed up for pool parties or stayed late playing video games. But as them.

That summer, I started noticing the difference between their laughs. The way Luca’s voice always came out low and quiet, like a secret. The way Levi’s eyes sparkled when he teased people, like he knew he was charming and didn’t care.

I didn’t know what to call it back then. But now?

I’d had a crush on both of them.

At the same time.

And no one—not even Harper—ever knew.

⸻

A shadow passed over me, pulling me from the memory.

“You’re Eden, right?”

I blinked. It was Joe’s cousin… Zach, I think? He was holding a beer and smiling at me in a way that clearly hoped I was single, available, and just drunk enough to entertain him.

I smiled politely. “That’s me.”

“Didn’t recognize you at first. You’ve, uh… grown up.”

Oh God.

“Wow,” I said, deadpan. “You almost made that sound normal.”

He chuckled, missing the sarcasm completely. “I’m just saying. If I were six years younger, I’d be in trouble.”

“You’re in trouble now,” I said, taking a long sip of sangria, “because you opened with that sentence.”

Zach laughed and moved on. I didn’t stop him.

From across the yard, I caught Levi watching me. Not openly—just a flick of his gaze in my direction before he turned back to whatever he was helping Joe with. Like he hadn’t meant to look. Or had, and didn’t care if I noticed.

I swallowed hard.

It was just a party.

Just a memory.

Just me, still invisible… but maybe not as invisible as before.