Emma dropped her suitcase at the front door and let out a long breath. The house was quiet. Too quiet. Her mom had texted her an hour ago: We caught an earlier flight for the cruise. Ryan’s staying home too because of work. Be good, sweetie! Love you!
Be good. Yeah, right.
She was nineteen, home from college for the summer, and now stuck in this big house with her stepbrother for two whole weeks. Ryan. The guy who had been living in her head rent-free for the past three years, even though she hated admitting it.
Emma dragged her bag upstairs to her bedroom. The air felt warm and heavy. She peeled off her jeans and t-shirt, standing in just an oversized sleep shirt that barely reached her thighs. The cool fabric brushed against her skin as she unpacked.
The door swung open without a kno
