“This is Wren,” I say. “Engineering 204.”
“Right.” His smirk is immediate and annoying.
Before I can shut him down, Dmitri steps out, jacket unzipped.
“Little O’Connor. You bring study group to retreat? Punishment for losing scrimmage?”
“Extra credit,” I deadpan, slapping his back.
Wren offers her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Dmitri studies her like a stat sheet. “Not tall,” he decides, shaking her hand. “But strong.”
“I’ll let you know I’m average height for a woman,” she says lightly. “You, on the other hand?—”
“Smallandfeisty,” he concludes, moving aside. “Come. Is warm inside.”
The cabin smells of wood,cinnamon, and roasted garlic. Laughter spills from the kitchen—Jessica and Nate arguing, Eden heckling from the counter.
“Dinner in twenty,” Nate calls. “Assuming Jessica doesn’t light my eyebrows on fire.”
“Stop standing so close to the stove,” Jessica fires back.
Wren laughs—low, unguarded—and the room tilts toward her for half a beat too long.
“This is Wren,” I say.
“Study partner,” she supplies smoothly, offering her hand. “Semester project.”
Introductions make the rounds. Sophie appears with wine and saves her from the attention.
“Ignore them,” she says. “Hockey boys are all idiots. Come on, I’ll show you your room.”
“Good to know the taxonomy.” Wren smiles.
“I like her,” Jessica calls from the kitchen.
Me too. Way too much.
Sophie and Eden lift Wren’s bag and head for the stairs. Sophie glances back.
“You coming?”
“I’m taking the couch.”
The words hang there—unnecessary, unasked for.
Sophie pauses, clocks it, then smooths her expression. “Got it.”
The ribbing starts as soon as we hear the door shut behind them.
“Since when do you bring study partners to these weekends?” Finn asks.
“Evolution,” Liam adds. “Historic moment.”
“Draft the press release,” Nate calls. “Kieran O’Connor, emotionally available.”
Dmitri hides a grin. “Rookie. Heart injury.”
