Everly didn't smile.
But something in the way she stood felt different now. More sure. Like a piece of her had finally settled into place—something that had always been there, just clearer now.
—
It was already late when she found him.
Ethan was sitting by the river, far from the main grove. The only sounds around him were the soft ripples of water and the quiet rustle of wind through the trees.
His legs were stretched out in front of him, eyes fixed on the way the light danced on the surface. The sky above was darker now—less moon, more stars.
She didn't call out to him.
She just walked over and sat beside him, letting the silence stay.
After a few minutes, she nudged him gently with her shoulder.
"Thinking deep thoughts again?"
He looked over for a second, then back at the water. "Not really."
She gave him a sideways smirk. "Liar."
But that was it. She didn't tease him more than that. She didn't need to.
