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I unlocked the deadbolt and pulled the heavy oak door open just enough to block the entryway.

He stood on the stone threshold with a cocky, practiced grin spreading across his face—the exact same expression he used to wear years ago whenever he got caught in a lie and thought charm could bail him out. He had on a designer jacket, fresh kicks, and too much cologne, looking like he’d spent thirty minutes in the mirror before driving over.

“What the hell are you doing here, Chalis? As a matter of fact, how did you even get in the gate?”

I looked over at the gate and it was open.

“Damn,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s how you greet somebody who came by out of the goodness of his heart?”

“When you show up at my front door unannounced and uninvited? Yes, that’s exactly how I greet you. Now, how did you get in?”

Chalis lifted both hands like I was accusing him of breaking and entering.

“Whoa. I may be a lot of things, but I ain’t no stalker. The gate was open… surprisingly. I sure as hell didn’t ram my shit through it.” A smug little grin tugged at his mouth. “Maybe that was a sign I was meant to see you.”

I almost rolled my eyes, but then I remembered pulling in earlier with my gospel music turned up, singing along and completely in my own little world. I’d hit the button to open the gate, but somewhere between the music, my coffee, and thinking about everything I needed to get done before picking Kaidence up from school, I must’ve forgotten to close it.

“Don’t get spiritual on me, Chalis. That’s just a sign I need to start double-checking that I close the gate behind me. You got lucky. That’s all.”

His grin faded a little. “Yeah, aight.”

He leaned slightly to the side to peer over my shoulder into the high-ceilinged foyer.

“Damn. So the rumors are true. You really living in this palace?”

“How did you even know where I was staying?”

“Hallowridge is small, Lakelyn. Word travels before the sun even comes up.”

“Clearly.”

“I heard about the fire at your grandma’s place,” he continued, taking a casual half-step closer. “I just wanted to come by, check on the family, and make sure you were straight.”

I folded my arms across my chest, staring at him with a deadpan expression. “We’re fine.”

Chalis didn’t step back. Instead, his eyes dropped, slowly traveling down the length of my body with an open, lingering appraisal that made my skin crawl.

I was wearing an oversized knit sweater and black leggings—nothing remotely provocative—but the way he looked at me made it feel like an invasion.

He bit his bottom lip, letting out a low whistle. “Damn, Lakelyn. Time’s been treating you real good. You look even better than you did when you left.”

“Is that the whole reason you came over here?”

“Nah, I’m just giving credit where credit is due. Ass definitely got fatter.”

I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed the edge of the door and swung it hard toward his face.

“Whoa, whoa, hold on!” Chalis scrambled backward onto the porch, catching the frame with his palm before the latch could click. “Damn, girl! Too soon?”

“Goodbye, Chalis.”

“Hold up, Lakelyn! I was just playing with you. Stop being so uptight.”

“Go play with whoever’s bed you’re currently creeping out of,” I said, glaring through the narrow gap. “I don’t have time for your foolishness.”

He raised both hands in mock surrender, though the smug smirk never entirely left his lips. “Look, I apologize… for real this time. I genuinely came by to check on Miss Lizzy. How’s her breathing holding up after the smoke?”

My grip on the door loosened by half an inch, though my posture remained rigid.