tis the damn season

"Everything was just right"

The Cameron estate loomed ahead, its grand facade bathed in soft light as my mom and I walked up the stone path. My heart thudded in my chest, each step closer to the front door a reminder that this night was going to be anything but ordinary.

I tugged at the hem of my dress, wishing I'd worn something less formal. Why had I agreed to this? Oh, right. My mother's insistence that it was about "community."

But all I could think about was Rafe. And Sarah. She was supposed to be my buffer tonight—my safe harbor in the sea of awkward tension. I could handle Rose's polished, distant kindness. I could even handle Wheezie's curious stares. But Rafe?

That was a different story.

The door opened before we could knock. Rose stood there, impeccably dressed in a sleek black dress, her lips curving into a polite smile.

"Juliette, Mrs. Bennett, welcome," she said warmly.

"Thank you for having us," my mom replied with equal grace.

Rose stepped aside, and we entered the grand foyer. My eyes immediately darted around, searching for Sarah. But instead, I was met with the towering Christmas tree in the center of the living room, its golden lights casting a warm glow over the polished hardwood floors.

"Where's Sarah?" I blurted out, trying to sound casual.

Rose's smile didn't waver, but something flickered in her eyes. "Sarah couldn't make it tonight. She had plans with John B."

Disappointment settled over me like a heavy blanket. Without Sarah, this dinner suddenly felt much more precarious.

"Well, that's a shame," my mom said, oblivious to the knot forming in my stomach.

Rose led us into the dining room, where Wheezie was already seated, looking bored as she scrolled through her phone. Then my gaze shifted to the person I'd been trying not to look for.

Rafe.

He stood at the far end of the table, dressed in a crisp button-down and slacks. His hair was neatly combed, but there was still a ruggedness to him, a tension in his shoulders that made him seem like he didn't belong in this carefully curated setting.

Our eyes met, and for a moment, everything else faded. The memory of our kiss flashed between us, unspoken but potent. I quickly looked away, my heart pounding.

"Juliette, Mrs. Bennett," Rafe greeted, his voice steady but guarded.

I swallowed hard and forced a smile. "Hey, Rafe."

We took our seats, and the meal began. The conversation was light at first—business updates from Rose, polite questions from my mom. I tried to stay focused, but every time I glanced up, I caught Rafe watching me. His gaze was intense, unreadable, and it made my skin tingle in ways I didn't want to acknowledge.

"So, Juliette," Rose said, turning her attention to me. "How's school?"

"It's fine," I replied, clearing my throat. "Busy, but manageable."

Rafe's lip twitched, almost like he was amused. I shot him a glare, but he looked away, sipping his wine.

"Rafe's been managing the family business since Ward passed," Rose added, her tone proud but measured. "He's taken on a lot of responsibility."

I glanced at him again, surprised. "That must be... a lot."

Rafe shrugged, his eyes meeting mine. "It is. But someone has to do it."

The weight of his words hung in the air, and for a moment, I saw beneath his cool exterior. He wasn't just the guy who kissed me and turned my world upside down. He was carrying a burden I hadn't fully understood.