Kylie leans in close as we walk down the hall, muttering under her breath, “I swear, someone’s going to crack first. Ten seconds, tops.”

I raise an eyebrow. “What are you talking about? Let’s just get this over with.”

We head back into the kitchen, following the hum of conversation. It’s quieter now than earlier, so it seems like some of the crowd has thinned out.

Just as we reach the hallway, Luna Ava catches us. Her warm smile is instantly disarming as she pulls me into another hug. “You look beautiful, sweetheart. Have fun today, okay?”

She gives us a knowing wink before slipping out the front door, leaving Kylie and me standing in the hallway, slightly stunned by her effortless charm. How does she do that? I glance toward the kitchen, remembering my necklace.

As we step in, a chorus of voices greets us.

“Damn, Little Bit, you clean up good!” Devin grins, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “We’re going to have our hands full keeping both of you out of trouble today.”

Kylie rolls her eyes, muttering, “I knew it would be you.”

I try to ignore the way his compliment makes my cheeks heat. Devin always says something to throw me off—sometimes sweet, sometimes teasing, occasionally inappropriate just to see me blush. This one lands somewhere in between, making my stomach flutter in an unfamiliar way.

“Did I leave my necklace on the island?” I ask, glancing around.

“I’ve got it right here.” Ethan’s smooth voice catches my attention. He holds the thin chain up, dangling it from one finger like a prize.

“Oh, thank you!” I reach out, but before my fingers can touch it, Ryan swipes it from Ethan’s hand.

“Let me help,” Ryan offers, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“Uh… okay,” I whisper, suddenly feeling off-balance. Something strange is happening between us—something I can’t quite put my finger on. The air feels charged, like we’ve stepped into unfamiliar territory, and I have no idea how to navigate it.

I turn my back to Ryan, pulling my ponytail to the side to give him access. His hands are surprisingly gentle as he clasps the necklace around my neck. But when he finishes, his fingers graze down the exposed skin of my back—slowly, deliberately, tracing a path from my shoulder to the hem of my top.

My breath catches in my throat, and my skin tingles under his touch, breaking out in goosebumps.

“Perfect, Smalls,” Ryan murmurs, his voice close to my ear.

A shiver runs down my spine, and I’m acutely aware of how still the room has become. Before I can process the moment, Leo grumbles from behind us, breaking the tension like a hammer through glass.

“Alright, alright, she’s hot—we all just figured it out. Let’s go before I throw up.”

Devin’s laugh explodes in the room, filling the awkward silence as we shuffle toward the garage. But even as we move, I can’t shake the warmth still lingering on my skin from Ryan’s touch.

When we reach the driveway, I expect to pile into the twins’ truck, but Aaron steers me toward the third garage door instead.

“We’re not taking the truck?” I ask, confused.

“Nah,” Aaron says, his hand gently resting on the small of my back. “The mall’s too far, and it’s not safe for Kylie to sit on Devin’s lap—or for you to be squished in the middle. We’re taking Dad’s Denali.”

He taps a code into the keypad, and the garage door lifts to reveal the sleek, black beast inside. The truck gleams under the lights—completely spotless, down to the tires.

The twins slide into the driver and passenger seats, while Leo and Devin climb effortlessly into the third row. Kylie follows, wedging herself between them with a playful grin. That leaves Ethan and me in the second row, where I suddenly feel very aware of the confined space between us.

The drive to the mall feels... comfortable. It shouldn’t be, but it is. I lean back, relaxing into the rhythm of conversation around me, the boys’ banter filling the car with easy laughter. So far, fifteen is looking better than I ever imagined.

The mall, however, is a different story. Shopping is torture.

I’d rather spend ten hours running drills than wander through every store, but Kylie is on a mission. Somehow, she has a sixth sense for what looks good on me, and before I know it, I have a pile of clothes that fit better than anything I’ve ever owned.

The guys insist on buying me small things along the way, despite my protests. I manage to draw the line when we pass a lingerie store. “Absolutely not,” I hiss, yanking Kylie away from the entrance.

“Agreed,” Leo mutters, shooting the guys a warning look as he steers us in the opposite direction.

After hours of browsing, we stumble across a small kiosk selling customizable leather bracelets. The guys gravitate toward it, their interest piqued.

Ethan picks out an orange bracelet with a charm that says Bite Size. “Thought it’d match my construction-crew vibe,” he jokes, making me laugh.

Aaron selects a sea-green band with Tiny engraved on the charm.

Ryan opts for a sky-blue bracelet, the charm reading Smalls.

Leo’s choice is more understated—black leather with a simple charm that says Sis. The gesture nearly makes me choke up, but I manage to hold it together.

Then there’s Devin, who takes it upon himself to make a grand spectacle out of the moment. He drops to one knee in front of the kiosk, holding up a red leather bracelet like it’s an engagement ring.

“Little Bit,” he declares dramatically, “will you accept this humble gift and wear my friendship bracelet for all eternity?”

I can’t help but burst out laughing. “I would be honored, good sir.” I curtsy playfully, holding out my wrist.

Devin beams, clapping his hands in excitement before fastening the bracelet around my arm. “There,” he announces, “now you belong to us.”

Kylie joins the fun, wrapping her yellow bracelet around my wrist. Her charm is etched with runes—one symbol for warrior and another for friend.

“It means ‘warrior friend,’” she says softly, pulling me into a hug.

Looking down at my arm, now adorned with six colorful leather bands, I feel a warmth I can’t quite describe. For the first time in a long while, I feel like I belong.

After grabbing lunch—because of course the boys insisted on feeding me—we head to the formal section of a trendy boutique. The guys claim the chairs by the fitting rooms, lounging like kings on their thrones, phones in hand, ready to critique every outfit I try on.

Kylie, meanwhile, becomes a tornado of fabric, tossing dresses over her arms and dragging a sales associate along behind her.

The first dress she pulls is... massive. It’s a floor-length gown in a soft gray-blue that matches my eyes, with layers upon layers of tulle. The strapless bodice sparkles with subtle sequins, catching the light with every movement.

“This is... a lot,” I mutter, slipping into the dress.

Kylie’s eyes sparkle as she twirls me toward the mirror. “You look like a princess.”

I frown. “I feel like I’m about to trip over my own feet.”

“Put on your Converse,” she says, dead serious.

I laugh but comply, slipping into the platform sneakers. Somehow, the juxtaposition works. The dress and shoes together make me feel like... well, like me.

When I step out of the fitting room, the guys go silent.

Ethan’s phone lowers an inch. Aaron leans forward, brow raised. Ryan tilts his head, his gaze lingering. Devin? He grins like he’s already planning his next joke.

And Leo? He doesn’t say a word—but the small, approving nod he gives me says enough.

Kylie elbows me, smirking. “Told you.”

I roll my eyes, feeling my cheeks flush. Maybe fifteen won’t be so bad after all.