Chapter 1

[Kendall] “Thanks for inviting me,” I say, smiling at Elora as I nudge her with my shoulder. She laughs, lifting her champagne glass. “You needed a break, Kendall. It’s about time.” I wiggle my toes in the clear, saltwater pool and glance at her perfectly manicured feet. “Yeah, I don’t get out much.” Elora tilts her head knowingly. “Because you’re always at home taking care of your dad.” I nod, the usual heaviness settling in. “He’s not been the same since the heart attack. I’ve taken over most of the household stuff. Lucky he made enough money as a low-level guy before getting sick to take care of us. I owe him everything.” “You’re a good daughter,” she says sincerely before grinning again. “But today’s about mimosas and sunshine, so drink up.” I smile, taking another sip of my drink. Elora’s been my best friend since we were twelve, always dragging me into fun I didn’t know I needed. Sometimes I think she tries to live enough for both of us. When Marco Barone’s voice cuts across the pool enclosure, my stomach tightens. “Elora” Elora turns, her face lighting up. “Marco!” I stay quiet, watching as he walks over. He’s good-looking, but there’s a coldness in his eyes that makes my skin crawl. Marco picks Elora up effortlessly, making her giggle as she drops her mimosa glass. I lunge forward and catch it before it hits the ground, but neither of them notices. After a long, intense kiss, Marco sets her down. “I gotta go now, bella,” he says in a low tone. Elora pouts. “Alright, if you must.” “The staff will lock up when you leave,” he adds, kissing her again before striding into the house. I let out a slow breath as he leaves, without even acknowledging me. Marco is the kind of man who makes me nervous just by being in the room. His gaze is too sharp, his words too calculated, and Elora’s confidence around him worries me. She thinks she can handle him, but I’m not so sure. “Come on, Kendall!” Elora calls, splashing water in my direction. I slide into the pool and let myself laugh, trying to push down the nagging unease. She dunks her head underwater and comes up smiling, her eyes sparkling with that mischievous glint I know all too well. “Oh no,” I say, shaking my head. “What are you planning, Elora?” She swims closer, grinning. “The Espositos are having a party tomorrow night.” I groan. “You mean Bruno Esposito is having a party.” “Exactly.” “Elora, Marco is only out of town for two days. Don’t you think this is a bad idea?” She shrugs, unbothered. “What Marco doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” I bite my lip, the knot in my stomach tightening. Elora doesn’t see the danger in what she’s doing. To her, it’s just fun and games—Marco buys her expensive things, Bruno flirts with her at parties, she's playing both of them--and loving it. Marco wouldn’t just be angry if he found out. He’d be dangerous. And Bruno? He’s no better. Elora thinks she’s in control, but I’ve seen what happens to people who cross men like them. I don’t want to lose her. “Elora...” I start, but she waves me off, already climbing out of the pool. “Come on, Kendall. I know you’re going to come with me to keep me out of trouble, so let’s not have this back and forth,” she says over her shoulder with a cheeky grin on her face. She’s right, of course. I can’t let her go alone. I never can. “I guess I’ll get an Uber,” I mutter. “No way.” Elora grabs her towel, grinning. “I’ll call Camden.” My breath catches. Camden Andretti. Same sea-green eyes as my best friend, but this time with the longest, darkest lashes, the strongest Roman nose, a square jaw, and the fullest mouth. Camden Andretti is absolutely gorgeous and I've had a crush on him since before I was fourteen. Not that Elora will ever get that information out of me. And not that it matters anyway since I’m invisible to him. When Camden’s car pulls up, I rush to put on a pair of shorts and my tank top. I manage to get dressed before he walks in, thank God, coming through the back of the pool house and waving, jerking his head as if he’s irritated. I hurry over to his car while Elora takes her time. “Thank you for the ride, Camden,” I say as I slide into the backseat. He hums in response, getting in the driver’s side and revving the engine to make Elora hurry up. She takes her sweet time anyway, just to be a brat, and I chuckle. "You should've taken the front seat," Camden says, and I can’t help the blush that spreads across my cheeks. “I don’t mind the backseat,” I say. Elora finally gets in the passenger side, flipping her hair dramatically. “You’re driving us to the Espositos tomorrow night, right?” Camden groans. “I’ve got to be there anyway. Dante is invited. So, I guess I’ll drop you off.” Elora grins. “Perfect.” Camden raises an eyebrow at her as he pulls out of the driveway. “You know, Marco isn’t going to like you going to Bruno’s.” “Marco is out of town,” she says breezily. “You’re going to get yourself in trouble one of these days, you know that?” Camden warns, but Elora just scoffs. “I’m just having fun,” she argues, and I look out the window to stop staring at Camden's profile. I had the biggest dreams of growing up and marrying him when I was a teenager, and it all seems so ridiculous now. As if he would ever want me. “I’m going to drop you off first,” Camden says to Elora. “I’m on my way to Dante’s, and Kendall’s place is on the way.” I swallow hard. I’m going to be alone in the car with Camden, which makes the blush on my cheeks deepen and redden. I know I should be over my little crush by now, but I can’t help it. He’s just so...Camden, you know? He’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met before. I wish that I had someone like him in my life, like a boyfriend or a husband. I’ve always wanted a family, and I don’t feel like I’ll ever have one. “You’re going to the Esposito party?” he asks me, looking at me in the rearview mirror. I nod slowly, keeping eye contact. God, his eyes are so pretty, his stare intense. “Keep her out of trouble,” he says, giving me a little smile, and my heart skips several beats. “Trouble is my middle name,” Elora chirps, waving her fingers at me as Camden pulls up at their place. She lives in a pretty house. It’s just Elora and their ailing mother living there now. Camden has his own apartment and comes to visit often. Their father had done pretty well for himself before he was killed, so the house was all theirs. He hadn’t ever wanted to be anything but low level, but still he provided for his family. Gave them a roof. My dad was the same. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. At least I don’t have to worry about watching my back and having someone come after my family. I’m glad that my father was just a low-level thug and not a made man. “Get in the front,” Camden says as Elora makes her way to the front door. It’s almost demanding, and it sends a shiver down my spine. I do as he says and climb over to get in the front seat, my arm brushing against his. “I’m glad you’re going to be at the party,” he says, and I blink, looking over at him as I buckle my seatbelt and he pulls out onto the road. “You are?” “You always watch out for her. Gives me less work to do,” he says, and I swallow, feeling slightly disappointed. What else would he say? That he wants me to go because he’s secretly in love with me? I feel stupid. Camden’s quiet the rest of the way home, but just as I step out of the car, he calls my name softly. I freeze, pulse racing, and turn to face him. “You’re a good friend,” he says, his gaze locking onto mine with an inte nsity that steals my breath. His voice is low, barely more than a murmur, but it lingers, wrapping around me. I nod, forcing a smile, and turn toward the door. But as I walk inside, his words echo, each step heavier. A good friend. Is that all he thinks I am? Is that all he’ll ever let me be? Or… was there something more in his eyes, in his voice? And why can’t I stop hoping?