Ariana’s POV
The rain had stopped, but the clouds lingered thick, grey, moody. I leaned against the cold windowpane in the upstairs hallway, watching droplets race each other down the glass, feeling just as stormy inside.
Roman had barely said anything to me all morning. Not since that kiss he gave me in the kitchen before vanishing into the library to study.
Tension. It never left us for long. It lived between every glance. Every secret touch. Every word not spoken.
"Earth to Ari."
I turned, blinking.
Alex stood behind me with two mugs in hand, his blonde hair damp like he'd just come in from the rain. A few strands clung to his forehead, and he was smiling that kind of casual smile that disarmed you without trying.
“I brought caffeine,” he said, holding one mug out. “You looked li
