Heart Buffs, Coffees & Cats

19

I hadn't realized that living with a bunch of guys could actually be… fun. Good guys, obviously. During breakfast, I learned bits and pieces about them — the way they'd lived together for seven years now, spent all-nighters gaming together, and, apparently, never allowed to bring girls over.

Well, except for Chris, who, three years ago, had snuck his girlfriend — now ex — here. Ayden had to drive her all the way back to southern Kansas by himself. When I asked why, Chris just gave a sheepish smile that practically screamed, 'It's complicated.' I didn't push. But I couldn't ignore the question — why was I, a total stranger, allowed here now?

With a sigh, I let it go.

After breakfast, I found myself stretched out on the couch, scrolling through Instagram with Biscotto curled up on my lap. Canella, meanwhile, had claimed the cat bed next to me, looking like a queen as she groomed herself, one dainty paw at a time. She reminded me so much of Ayden—aloof, quiet, and somehow always perfectly composed. And her blue eyes — yeah, they reminded me of him too, though hers were definitely prettier.

No offense to Ayden.

Yep.

As I was scrolling, I glanced at the time and realized Lucie would be here any minute. A wave of nervousness hit me. This would be her first time meeting the guys. would she like them?

"Ocean?" Luca's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. He wandered over, scratching Biscotto's head. His blond hair looked a bit darker than last night, still messy but somehow... styled? Simply putting, it was a confusing hairstyle.

"Hey," I said, looking up. "What's up?"

He put his hands on his hips, giving me a curious look. "Have you seen Ryan? He said he had something important to tell me but then just vanished."

I tilted my head and squinted, trying to remember. "Oh yeah, he was on the phone, talking to someone, and then he left."

"He left?" Luca repeated, brows knitting together in concern and looked straight at my eyes. "And Ayden's been glued to his laptop all morning too. That's… weird."

"Why? Isn't it normal for the Grump to be on his laptop in the morning?"

"Not like this. It's—" Luca paused, blinking at me like he'd almost revealed some big secret. Then, he flashed me a playful grin, extending his hand like some kind of prince. "How about a little walk? I hear it's good for digestion."

I laughed, setting Biscotto down as I took his hand. He winked, and I rolled my eyes, which only made him chuckle more.

Outside, the garden felt like a breath of fresh air, flowers blooming and plants swaying gently in the morning breeze. I took a deep breath, soaking in the earthy, fragrant air.

"So, tell me something about yourself," Luca said as we strolled. "Like, what's your story? How'd you end up in this manhouse?"

I sighed, dramatically, trying to think of a simple answer. "You know, I'm a great storyteller."

"Oh yeah?" He clasped his hands, his eyes widening in mock excitement. "Tell me a story now."

"Fine. You ever heard those fairy tales where a small-town princess meets a super popular prince?"

"I'm more into champion lores than fairy tales." He shot me a cheeky grin.

"Champion lores?"

"You know, League of Legends? It's a game. The heroes you play as are called champions, and they each have backstories— you call them lores. You'd love it." He shrugged. "Anyway, tell me your story."