Katelyn lay sprawled across her bed, replaying the moment she saw Lucas sitting in her living room. Her mind couldn’t wrap around the fact that the new boy from school—the one she couldn’t stop thinking about—was actually Aunt Rachel’s son. What kind of luck was that?

He’s so cute, she thought, a smile tugging at her lips. I thought my hand was going to burn up when I touched his back. I hope he didn’t feel my fingers shaking.

Her phone rang suddenly, pulling her from her daydreams. Samantha’s name flashed on the screen, and Katelyn answered with eager excitement.

“OMG, Sam!” Katelyn said breathlessly. “You’ll never believe what happened today!”

“What is it?” Samantha asked, her voice curious.

“Guess who was waiting for me when I got home?” Katelyn teased.

Samantha laughed. “Who was it?”

“It was the new boy from school—Lucas!”

There was a pause on the line before Samantha’s shocked voice replied, “What? No way!”

Katelyn giggled. “Yup! Turns out, he’s my Aunt Rachel’s son.”

“That’s insane!” Samantha exclaimed. “What was he like when you saw him at home?”

“Well, he apologized for being cold at school. He was just nervous because it was his first day in a new place.”

“So, is he nice?” Samantha pressed. “Did you two talk?”

Katelyn felt her cheeks heat up. “Yeah... he’s actually really nice. Just shy. And his dad passed away two months ago, which is why they moved back here.”

Samantha’s voice softened. “That’s so sad. No wonder he was distant.”

“Yeah,” Katelyn agreed. “We talked for a while. I comforted him... about his dad.”

There was a brief silence before Samantha spoke again, her tone teasing. “Uh-huh, sounds like someone has a little crush.”

Katelyn’s heart skipped a beat. “Shut up, Sam!” she hissed. “That’s our secret, and you’re sworn to secrecy. You can’t tell anyone. Swear it!”

Samantha’s laughter echoed through the phone. “Okay, okay, I swear!”

Katelyn sighed, glancing at the clock. “I better get to sleep. See you at school tomorrow.”

“Alright, night, Kate.”

They hung up, but Katelyn lay still, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts full of Lucas. She couldn’t believe he would be living in her house for the next three weeks. I have to keep my cool, she reminded herself, but the memory of his dark eyes and the warmth in his voice as he apologized stayed with her until she drifted off to sleep.

———————————————————————————

Beep... beep... beep...

Katelyn groaned as the alarm blared next to her head. She slammed her hand down on the snooze button, burying her face in the pillow.

“Ugh, morning already?” she mumbled. “I need more sleep.”

Then, with a sudden jolt, she sat up. Lucas! He would be downstairs soon, and she couldn’t let him see her looking half-asleep and disheveled.

She sprang out of bed, her heart racing. I have to look cute today.

A quick shower later, Katelyn carefully selected her outfit—something effortlessly stylish but not too over the top. She styled her long, straight brown hair and applied her makeup with precision. One final look in the mirror and she smiled to herself.

“Perfect,” she whispered.

Heading downstairs, she could already hear voices coming from the kitchen. She was the last to arrive, and as she entered the room, her eyes instantly landed on the empty chair beside Lucas. Trying to hide her nerves, she slid into the seat.

“Good morning, everyone,” Katelyn greeted with a shy smile.

“Morning, sweetheart,” Emily said, her usual warmth in her voice.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Aunt Rachel added, beaming.

Lucas glanced her way and offered a quiet, “Good morning.”

Katelyn’s dad, Eric, smiled at her from across the table. “How was your first day back at school yesterday, angel?”

“It was fine, Dad. Nothing too exciting.”

Eric nodded approvingly. “That’s good. Just make sure to keep your grades up, especially in your senior year.” He turned to Lucas. “Same goes for you, young man.”

Lucas gave a respectful nod. “Yes, sir.”

Katelyn smiled, her heart warming at her dad’s approval. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll make you proud, like always.”

“I never doubted it,” Eric said, his grin widening. “That’s my girl.”

Emily clapped her hands together. “Alright, let’s eat before it gets cold!”

As the family began to dig into breakfast, Katelyn couldn’t help but notice her mom and Aunt Rachel exchanging secretive smiles, their eyes constantly flicking between her and Lucas. They were definitely up to something.

“Mom,” Katelyn said slowly, eyeing her suspiciously. “Why do you and Aunt Rachel keep staring at us like that?”

Lucas looked up from his plate, his expression curious.

Emily glanced at Rachel, and they both shared a knowing look.

“Should we tell them?” Emily asked.

Rachel shrugged, grinning. “Might as well. Better now than later.”

Katelyn’s curiosity piqued. “Tell us what?”

Emily cleared her throat, her smile softening. “Well, Aunt Rachel, your dad, and I have something to share with you and Lucas.”

Katelyn felt a flicker of nervousness. “Okay...”

Emily took a deep breath. “When you and Lucas were born, we decided to engage you two together.”

The room went silent.

Katelyn’s mouth dropped open. “What?!”

Lucas, equally shocked, stared at his mom. “What?”

Rachel laughed lightly. “You see, when we found out Em was having a girl and I was having a boy, we thought it would be perfect to marry you two someday. That way, we’d always be family.”

Emily nodded enthusiastically. “We were so happy at the idea. You two would be perfect together!”

Katelyn and Lucas exchanged stunned glances, neither of them knowing what to say.

“Do you both not like each other?” Emily asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

Katelyn’s face flushed. “Um... I don’t dislike Lucas.”

Lucas, equally flustered, cleared his throat. “I don’t dislike Katelyn either.”

Rachel clapped her hands together, satisfied. “Well, there you go! No problem then. Em, it looks like we’re going to be one big happy family.”

Emily beamed. “I couldn’t be more thrilled!”

Katelyn and Lucas remained speechless, quickly finishing their breakfast. The shock still hung heavily between them as Eric winked from across the table.

“You two better get to school,” he said, his voice teasing. “Katelyn, make sure you don’t lose my future son-in-law.”

Katelyn’s cheeks burned as she grabbed her backpack, her mind still reeling. Engaged? To Lucas? She sneaked a glance at him as they left for school, her heart pounding. This year was about to get a lot more complicated.