Always you

Chapter 10

Sasha stepped through the front door, feeling a strange mix of contentment and exhaustion. She'd barely had time to process her night with Rafe—his tenderness, his patience, the way he'd taken care of her without a hint of judgment. It all left her with a quiet thrill that kept her pulse buzzing, despite her lingering fatigue.

As she set down her bag and slipped off her shoes, Aunt Marie appeared in the hallway with a warm smile, her arms folded across her chest. Sasha could tell she was holding back a smirk, and Sasha felt a pang of worry. Had Rafe gotten in trouble because of her?

"There you are," Marie said with a touch of amusement. "I was wondering if you'd need a little rescuing from all those romcoms."

Sasha blinked in confusion, then caught on as Marie gave her a knowing look. "Rafe told me that you and Sarah had a girls' movie night planned," Marie said. "He said you two would be watching romantic comedies until you passed out."

Sasha tried to hide her grin, appreciating Rafe's quick thinking. "Yeah, that's exactly it," she replied, attempting an innocent tone. "Just hours of movie marathons and popcorn."

Marie chuckled. "Well, I'm just glad you're back safe. That young man seems to be quite fond of you." Her eyes twinkled as she turned back to the kitchen. "Make sure you get some rest. You look like you could use it."

Sasha's cheeks burned as she made her way upstairs. The memory of Rafe's arms around her, his gentle care, was like a quiet drumbeat in her mind. She spent the morning curled up in her room, feeling a mixture of warmth and nerves as she replayed the events of the night. As much as she tried to clear her mind, Rafe's face—his gentle smile, the tenderness in his eyes—lingered.

Around noon, she heard the doorbell ring and the sounds of voices drifting up from the hallway. Curiosity stirred in her, and she stepped out of her room just in time to see Sarah bounding up the stairs with a bright smile, trailed by two other people Sasha hadn't yet met.

"Sasha!" Sarah called out, her voice filled with excitement. "I hope you're up for some company! I brought a couple of friends with me."

Sasha smiled, feeling instantly at ease. "Of course! I'd love to meet them."

Sarah stepped aside, gesturing toward the two guys with her. The first was a tall, blond guy with an easygoing smile and a twinkle of mischief in his eye. He looked like the type who never took life too seriously, his whole demeanor radiating casual charm. The second guy was equally good-looking, with dark hair and a more reserved expression, his sharp eyes assessing Sasha with a mix of curiosity and warmth.

"This is Topper," Sarah said, nodding toward the blond, who offered Sasha a playful wink. "And this is JJ."

"Nice to meet you," Sasha said, extending a hand to each of them. Topper took her hand with a grin, while JJ gave her a polite nod, his smile growing a little as he looked at her.

"So, you're the famous Sasha," Topper said, his tone teasing as he glanced between her and Sarah. "Sarah's been talking about you non-stop since you got back."

Sarah rolled her eyes, nudging him with her elbow. "Don't listen to him. He's just being dramatic."

"Dramatic?" JJ echoed with a smirk. "That's Topper's specialty."

Topper shrugged, unbothered by the teasing. "What can I say? I know how to make an entrance."

Sasha laughed, feeling herself relax. She could already tell that both of them had an easygoing energy that made them fun to be around. They were the kind of friends who felt like family, and it was clear that they and Sarah shared a close bond.