Lucas took Aurelia for another walk after dinner, the sky already dimming as the sun slipped behind the trees. The air had cooled, scented with pine and damp leaves, and the crickets were just beginning their nightly song.
Aurelia dropped Lucas’s hand the second they stepped into the woods, her pace quickening. He didn’t need to ask why; she was eager to see Landon.
When they reached the clearing, they found Landon seated cross-legged across from Celia, a small pile of brush between them. Landon spotted them first but held up a hand, signaling them to stay quiet. His attention returned to Celia, who looked both frustrated and skeptical.
“This isn’t going to work,” Celia muttered, shifting on the grass.
“You won’t know unless you try,” Landon said firmly.
Celia twisted around to glance
