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“Obviously. Someone has to keep you in line.” I sat up, stretching my arms and trying not to think about how badly I wanted to stay pressed against him all day. “Come on, Charming. Time to go home.”

The ride back to our house was quiet but comfortable. Preston leaned his head back against the seat, his hand resting on my thigh like it was the most natural thing in the world. I didn’t dare move it.

I grabbed the keys once I parked and helped Preston out of the car. He rolled his eyes but let me loop my arm around his waist for support.

Inside, the house smelled like coffee and something sweet.

Mrs. Charming was at the counter, flipping pancakes while Mr. Charming sat at the table reading the paper.

Price was lounging on the couch, eating bacon straight from the pan.

I had no idea where Logan or Quentin were, but the Charmings had definitely made themselves at home.

“There they are!” Price announced, grinning like he’d been waiting to make a scene. “How’s the appendix-less wonder?”

“Still better than you,” Preston shot back, shaking his head.

Mrs. Charming turned, a spatula in hand, her face softening when she saw Preston. “Honey, you should be resting. Are you sure you’re okay? Jordan, has he been behaving?”

I grinned. “Define ‘behaving.’”

Everyone laughed, and I winked at Preston.

It was wonderful seeing him with his family like this.

He smiled a lot, and it was clear he had a great upbringing.

A surge of envy hit me, watching his parents fret over him.

It wasn’t jealousy, because I wanted Preston to have every single thing in life, but it was close to it.

What would it be like if my mom gave half as much concern for me as Preston’s parents did for him?

Or if my dad wanted to stick around to be there for me?

Or if my grandparents actually wanted a relationship with me?

If I had surgery, I doubted my mom would answer the phone.

Fuck. I shook the negative thoughts away as everyone laughed when his mom tried to flip a pancake and it landed on the floor.

“Five second rule!” Price picked it up and took a bite right out of it.

“You’re with the more hygienic of the two,” his mom said to me, smiling. “Makes me feel bad for whoever he brings home.”

The breakfast went by fast, laughter and ribbing between the Charming family, and I enjoyed being a part of it.

They reminded me of the Harts, where sure, they bickered, but they were there for each other regardless of what life threw at them.

I yearned for that place, for the safety net of people who were always there for you.

An ache formed in my chest at how much I wanted it, yet I was terrified of trying for it.

I couldn’t miss what I didn’t have, right?

Later, as I carried a stack of clean plates back to the kitchen, I overheard voices drifting from the backyard.

The brother’s split up after an hour, Price going to play video games, and Preston wanted some fresh air for a few minutes.

The sliding door was cracked open, and Preston’s low tone mixed with his mom’s softer one.

“I’m just glad you’re okay,” Mrs. Charming said, her voice filled with relief. “That surgery… it scared me, Preston. Your dad and I both. We’ve been doing a lot of talking since then.”

“Talking?” Preston’s tone was cautious, almost wary

“About us. About what we want. We’re still separated, but we’ve decided to try dating again. Taking it slow. Seeing if we can rebuild something.”

There was a pause, heavy and contemplative

“That’s… what you want?”

“Yes, honey. I love your father, and I’m not sure where we went wrong, but we both aren’t quite ready to call it off completely. It’s been fun dating him again.”

“That’s great Mom,” Preston said finally. “I’m happy for you guys. Really.”

“I know our family’s different now,” she continued, her voice trembling slightly. “But nothing will ever change how much we love you and Price. You’ll always be our boys, no matter what.”

I hovered by the door, frozen in place. Something about the raw honesty in her words made my chest tighten.

Preston’s world was shifting, just like mine.

And maybe that was why we worked—because we both understood what it felt like to stand on uneven ground.

Would the shift change things between us though?

When I finally stepped outside, Preston looked up, his expression softening when he saw me. Mrs. Charming gave me a small, knowing smile before heading back inside, leaving the two of us alone

“Eavesdropping?” Preston asked, his tone teasing but gentle

“Unintentionally,” I replied, sitting beside him on the patio steps. The cool air whipped around us, and I shivered. “You okay?

“Yeah,” he said after a moment. “It’s just… a lot. But in a good way, I think.”

I nodded, bumping my shoulder against his. “For what it’s worth, I think it’s a good thing. They’re trying. That’s more than most people do. It’s clear they love each other and you two.”

“Yeah,” he murmured, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “And I’ve got you here, so I guess I can handle it. ”

I smiled, leaning my head against his shoulder. I’d do whatever he needed. Be there for him for any reason. My heart swelled with love, the feeling so foreign yet comfortable. “Damn right you can. Now come on. Price is probably beating all your personal high scores, and someone’s gotta stop him.”

Preston laughed, the sound warm and real, and together we headed back inside.

This all felt so chill, so easy. I knew it wouldn’t last, because nothing ever did, but I wanted to enjoy every second of it.

I had no idea how I’d survive falling in love with Preston, but now that it had happened, I had no choice but to enjoy the ride.