THE HIDDEN LOVE 🥀🖤

How it all starts ..

HOW IT ALL STARTS ...

Esme's heart pounded as she stepped off the plane and into the busy airport. London had been a dream, but being home stirred emotions she wasn't prepared for. It had been a year—an entire year—since she'd last seen him.

Zeke.

Her stomach tightened at the thought. No one knew what had happened between them, and they never would. They had kept their relationship hidden, a secret shared only between the two of them. To everyone else, they were best friends—inseparable, sure, but only ever friends. Esme had convinced herself that was how it had to be. But it hadn't made leaving him any easier.

"Esme!" Grace's voice broke her thoughts. Her younger sister stood a few feet away, waving energetically, with Zeke's little sister, Sofia, holding her hand. Seeing the two of them together always tugged at Esme's heart—especially Sofia, who idolized Grace like a second sister. And, of course, Sofia adored Zeke.

Esme's pulse quickened. She hadn't spoken to Zeke since she left for London. Their last conversation had ended with promises to keep in touch, to figure things out after some time apart. But after a few months, the messages stopped, the calls faded. Life moved on.

Or had it?

Grace ran up and hugged her tightly. "Look at you! London suits you, big sis. You look amazing!"

Esme forced a smile, trying to hide her nerves. "Missed you too, Gracie," she replied, glancing down at Sofia, who beamed up at her.

"Hi, Esme!" Sofia chirped. "I missed you! I told Zeke you were coming back! He's been talking about you all day!"

Esme's heart skipped a beat. **Zeke knows I'm back?** She wasn't ready to see him yet. She needed time to prepare, to figure out how to face him now that everything had changed. They weren't just ex-lovers; they were still best friends, after all. They had to pretend like none of it ever happened.

"Oh yeah, Zeke's having a barbecue tonight," Grace chimed in. "Everyone's going. It'll be just like old times. You'll get to see everyone."

**Zeke's house.** The same house where they had shared their most intimate moments, where they'd whispered secrets late into the night. Esme's stomach churned at the thought of being back there, pretending like their history didn't exist. She wasn't sure if she could do it.

"That sounds great," Esme lied, hoping her voice didn't betray her unease. She glanced out the window as they drove, her mind swirling with thoughts of Zeke. **What if nothing had changed between them?** What if he still felt the same way, still had the same spark? She couldn't let herself hope. Not after so much time had passed.

When they pulled up to Zeke's house, her breath caught. His home was as familiar as ever—sleek, modern, with the same fast cars parked out front. Zeke had always had a thing for speed, for control. Esme had loved that about him, even when it scared her.

Inside, the barbecue was already buzzing with activity. Laughter filled the air, and the scent of grilled food was thick in the warm evening breeze. Esme's heart raced as she scanned the crowd. She spotted him almost immediately.

Zeke stood by the grill, laughing with friends. He hadn't changed a bit—tall, strong, and effortlessly handsome, with that same edge of danger she had always found irresistible. But then her eyes landed on the woman standing beside him.

Her heart plummeted.

Sage.

She had heard the name before, but seeing her now was something else. Sage was stunning, with long, sleek black hair and a confident, easy grace. She stood close to Zeke—too close. The way her hand rested lightly on his arm made Esme's chest tighten.

He's moved on

Esme swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to keep her composure. Zeke's head turned then, as if sensing her presence. His eyes found hers across the yard, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. The air between them crackled with an unspoken understanding—one that only they shared. For just a second, Esme saw the Zeke she had fallen in love with.

But then Sage leaned in, whispering something into Zeke's ear, pulling him back into the moment.

Esme forced a smile as Grace tugged her toward the group, her heart pounding in her chest. She had no choice but to pretend, to play the role of best friend once again. No one could know the truth about what had happened between them.

But as she approached Zeke, she couldn't shake the feeling that their secret was far from over.