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Kira eventually gives up and rests her head on my chest. “Tonight was fun. I may have accidentally told Ivy and Scout about us,” she admits, watching me carefully.

My jaw is tight, but I give her a smile. I can’t really be mad at her for wanting to be honest with the girls. Besides, she has more to lose than I do. And with the festival being right around the corner, how much damage could it really do?

I don’t want to waste the rest of our time together worrying about it. I just want to take her home and pretend this thing between us doesn’t have an expiration date.

“But they swore they wouldn’t tell the guys,” she assures me. “We pinky promised,” she says like it holds weight.

Still giggly and loopy from the champagne, Kira leans against my shoulder as we make our way into my house, her high heels dangling from my fingers. With an arm wrapped around my bicep, she babbles on about how much fun she had tonight.

My heart feels like it may explode out of my chest just seeing how happy she is.

The fresh scent of summer rain hangs in the cool night air, fireflies flickering through the darkness as crickets hum around us.

It’s as if everything I love about summertime is encapsulated at this moment. The laughter. The stillness. The way things keep living, thriving between the rain.

Moonlight casts a hazy glow through the storm clouds as we stumble through the damp grass and make our way toward the pool.

I sit first, dipping my toes in the warm water. Kira follows, propping back on her hands and kicking her feet. My eyes roam over her smooth, tanned skin, catching on the sight of her chipped toenail polish that looks overdue for a pedicure.

It’s a small thing, but I can’t help but notice how she never would’ve allowed that tiny imperfection to exist before, much less show it.

“Your family is so much fun,” she says, turning on her hip to face me. “I’m so jealous. You have no idea how lucky you are.”

“Yeah, they’re pretty great.”

“They really love you,” she says, almost to herself. “Like, you could do anything, and they’d support you.” She scoots closer, curling a leg beneath her. “I can’t imagine what that must be like.”

When it comes to my family, I know I hit the jackpot. My parents are loving, supportive, and genuinely wonderful people. But I’ve never really stopped to consider how much that foundation gave us. The freedom and confidence to figure out who we are and what we want out of life. Most people don’t get that.

I trail a hand over her hair, pushing her overgrown bangs from her eyes. “What would you do if you weren’t an actress?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. Acting is the only thing I’m good at.”

“Don’t say that. You’re good at lots of things.”

She pins me with a glare. “Really? Name one thing I’m good at.”

“You’re good with animals.” I tip my head toward Tilly, who snaps at a firefly that flies across her nose.

Kira snorts a laugh. “Okay, so is like eighty percent of everyone else. That doesn’t exactly set me apart or anything.”

“Hey, don’t sell yourself short. You’re good with kids, too. I’ve seen the way you are with your niece and nephew. You talk to them like they’re people. You listen and make them feel seen.”

“Sasha and Evie don’t count. I love them. It’s different.”

“All I’m saying is, you have a nurturing spirit. You’re really witty, and you have a huge heart.” I add.

Her lip twitches like she’s trying to hold back a smile. She nudges me with her shoulder. “Don’t act so surprised.”

“Sorry. I only meant that you’re more than you let people see.” I nudge her back. “You should try showing that side of yourself a little more.”

She blows out a sigh. “It wouldn’t make a difference. As far as they’re concerned, all I am is a hot piece of ass and a great set of tits.” She looks down at herself and shakes her head. “And it’s only a matter of time before those start to sag, and then what am I supposed to do?” She doesn’t wait for me to respond. “I’ll be forgotten, forced to milk the glory days for as long as I can and hope like hell I can find a good plastic surgeon to buy me time.”

I turn to look at her. “You actually believe that?”

She blinks, tears rolling down her cheeks. “It’s what I know to be true. And every moment that passes is just another reminder that the clock is ticking.”

“Kira, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Your body is what wet dreams are made of…” I hold her gaze. “And that is the least interesting thing about you.”