Page 36 of Before We Were

He flips through pages, golden-chestnut hair falling just right across his forehead, those ridiculous eyelashes making him look like an indie film lead. "You were quite the hit at the party last night," I tease.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, every girl there was practically gawking at you."

He laughs genuinely. "Gawking, really? Who uses that word?"

"Just calling it like I see it."

He leans close, mock-serious. "Someone's keeping a pretty close eye on me."

I roll my eyes, fighting a smile. "Just an observation."

"Is that jealousy I detect?"

"Jealous? Of what?"

"You said it, not me," he smirks.

His teasing infuriates and comforts me in that uniquely Jake way, proof some things never change.

Stepping into the bright street with my new book pressing against my chest feels like an anchor.

"So, where to?" I ask, already knowing.

"You know where."

"Corrigan's?"

"Bingo. If we hurry, we'll beat the rush for Cinnabons."

His hand finds mine, and suddenly we're running-laughing down the sidewalk, grief falling away like shed layers. In these moments with Jake, I'm just Nora again.

The bakery envelops us in warmth and spice. Jake orders our usual, and we claim our spot by the window, sunlight pooling on worn wood.

"I've been thinking," he starts, fidgeting with a napkin. "We should make a summer list."

"A summer list?"

"Yeah, all the things we want to do. Things we want to revisit.” His voice carries determination, a promise to reclaim joy after everything that's changed.

"I love that."

He grabs a pen. "Sixteen things each. One for every summer. And the seventeenth? We'll keep secret until we do it."

"Deal."

We write and laugh until we lose track of time. Jake's phone interrupts the fun and his face falls while checking it. "Ah, shit. Mom's car."

"Go," I urge, masking disappointment. "I'll stay and read."

"You sure?"

"Positive. See you at home."

He ruffles my hair before dashing out, that familiar gesture sending warmth through me. Alone with my list, the pen feels heavy, but my heart is lighter.

This summer, despite everything, we'd make it count.

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