“Ouch, Seb. What the hell was that for?” The way her shoulders hunch, I feel she already knows why.
“Harrison is not the older brother. We’re the same age,” Sebastian grumbles.
Harrison shoves Sebastian. “Don’t pull her hair, dickhead, and five days is five days. We’ve been fighting about this for as long as I’ve known you. Get over it already.”
“Enough bickering.” Rosa raises her voice. “Let’s get going. Your father is signing you out of camp, and then we’re heading to the restaurant.”
Rosa takes my hand. “Come, Maddie Grace. You can sit with Camila and me.”
I glance over my shoulder at Nate, hoping once again he might save me. Instead, he grins, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
I, on the other hand, feel like I just got adopted into the chaos.
And I don’t think I hate it.
Nate
“So, Maddie, you’re planning to major in architecture too?” Camila asks, wholly intrigued as she leans in, eager to learn more about my girl.
After today, I owe my sister big time.
Once Maddie warms up to someone, the quiet, reserved girl people first meet disappears, replaced by the vibrant, opinionated force I fucking adore. But my family can be overwhelming—loud, passionate, and unfiltered—so Camila’s effort to ensure Maddie feels at ease means everything.
Luckily, their connection was instant, and the conversation has been flowing effortlessly between them like they’d known each other forever.
“That’s the plan.” Maddie forces a smile, but there’s hesitation in her voice. “If I get the scholarships, that is.”
I shoot her a sharp look, already irritated.
She glances at me sheepishly, knowing exactly how much that comment grates on me.
If I knew she wouldn’t murder me for it, I’d pay for her entire tuition without a second thought.
In three weeks, when I turn eighteen, I’ll inherit everything my grandparents left me, and her education wouldn’t even put a dent in it.
I’m still working on devising a plan to guarantee her a spot at USC, and at this point, I’m not above bribery.
“Well, from what I’ve heard, not only are you brilliant, but your portfolio is incredible,” Camila says, either oblivious to my annoyance or deliberately ignoring it.
Either way, I’m grateful.
Someone needs to remind Maddie of her talent.
She insists I’m biased, but the truth is, she was born to be an architect.
It’s not just a dream, it’s her future, and I’ll make sure she never doubts that.
“Nate’s taught me a lot.” Maddie slides her hand into mine, and I instinctively tighten my grip, welcoming the distraction. I get too worked up when she undervalues herself. “And I’ve always loved school, so I’m hopeful. What about you? What’s your major?”
I brush my thumb over her knuckles, savoring the warmth of her sun-kissed skin, watching as tiny goose bumps rise in response to my touch.
“Stop staring at her like that, you creep,” Leo mutters, chuckling.
Never.
“Special education, with a focus on early childhood development,” Camila says, grinning ear to ear. “I graduate this year and plan to get my master’s immediately. Unlike you, I hate school, so if I don’t do it now, I never will.”
“You hate school, but you want to be a teacher?” Maddie laughs, as do the rest of us.
