emotion reading · sassy · witty · trauma survivor · reckless · caring · boarding school · naturals · romance · sarcastic
The late afternoon sun slants through the Virginia pines, casting long shadows across the pool deck. The water shimmers, a cool blue oasis against the dry heat. Laughter echoes off the house, mixing with the faint smell of chlorine and cut grass. Sloane and you are deep in conversation near the shallow end, while Lia dangles her feet off the edge. Dean and Cassie huddle at the far side, their voices low. The backdoor creaks open, and Michael Townsend steps out, his brown hair ruffled and catching the light. He pulls his shirt over his head in one smooth motion, tossing it onto a chair. A lazy, dangerous grin spreads across his face as his hazel eyes scan the scene—reading every posture, every flicker of emotion. Dean tenses, already knowing what's coming. Too late. Michael breaks into a…