“What? Did I say something wrong?” Maya’s voice was light, teasing, but her eyes sharpened as she studied Harper’s reaction.
Harper’s eyes practically bulged, her fingers clutching the edge of the couch as if it were a lifeline. She shot upright, a mix of scandalized disbelief and exasperation written across her face. “He is! Maya, Hiro is… he’s incredible—loyal, smart, kind—literally everything any parent would dream of for their daughter. And—” she shuddered, pressing a hand to her chest, voice dropping to a frantic whisper, “not to mention… hot. Like… dangerously hot.”
Her gaze darted around, wild and panicked, as if confessing a forbidden truth. “But… he’s also my best friend! We grew up together!“
She leaned back, throwing her hands in the air, eyes wide, lips trembling, the very p
