"Hey, new girl."
The voice was direct, a friendly challenge in the cold air. Summer didn't need to turn to know it was meant for her. In a town where everyone had grown up together, she was an easy target for curiosity. Still, she could have kept walking, but instead, she stopped and turned.
A girl with bubble-pink hair, shaved on both sides, stood a few feet away. "Well, hi," the girl said, her quick smile disarming.
Summer had been officially living here for almost a week, mostly staying cooped up in the half-wood, half-stone house that kept the snow out and strangers away. She had only ventured outside for dinner, or Suki insisted. But she'd needed a walk, a breath of fresh air.
"Where are you heading?" the girl asked, Summer's gaze catching on the cold piercings along her brows and lips. They were gold against her skin, a style Summer thought didn't quite suit her, yet she couldn't deny the girl's quiet beauty.
"I'm Summer," she said, extending her hand.
"Oh. Um, you can call me Nyra Stig. Sorry if I came off rude." They shook hands, and Summer was surprised by the instant warmth that spread from Nyra's palm to her fingers.
"How are your hands warm?" Summer asked, stepping over a patch of snow-covered flowers.
Nyra laughed. "Oh, I've just always been like this. Perk of living here all my life, I guess." She fell into step beside Summer. "Anyway, I thought you looked bored. And my alp–" she coughed, "–my boss has nothing for me to do right now."
"Who do you work for?"
"The Kuins. Pretty much everyone here works for them. It's their island."
They reached a street where the snow crusted the edges of the road, and a car rumbled by. Children ran past, shouting greetings to Nyra. Some looked at Summer, their stares curious and unblinking.
"Don't mind them," Nyra said. "We don't get new people often. It's been almost a week, you would think they would stop."
Summer smiled wryly. "That much I can tell. Actually… do you know where I can get a job? I need a reason to leave the house before I lose my mind." She gave a soft, self-conscious laugh, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Finn does that same thing when his jokes flop," Nyra said with a grin.
"You're close to my brother?"
"Yeah… and technically my boss. Why don't you ask him? I'm sure he could find something for you. Come on."
"Wait—where are we going?"
"To get you a job."
"Right now?"
"If Finn can't help, Ezra can." Nyra's expression became unreadable for a moment before she smiled again. "Okay. Let's go." She grabbed Summer's hand, and the warmth returned. Nyra led her to a parked Jeep, saying the drive to the mountains would be faster.
They cut across the island until the ground dipped toward a cliff's edge. Snow covered everything, even the small clusters of houses scattered among patches of winter flowers. People worked outside despite the cold. Nyra parked the Jeep, and they got out, waving to a few people as they walked.
"Here we are," Nyra said, gesturing toward a large compound. "Over there is the main house. It can hold up to a hundred people at once. That building there is where his parents and sister live. And this…" she gestured to a darker structure set apart from the rest, "…this is Ezra's home. And his office."
Suddenly, she felt nervous. Not the mild kind, but a deep, sinking unease that hollowed her chest. She had dreamed about him, thought about him, wanted to be near him in ways she didn't fully understand. Her heartbeat stumbled through a strange rhythm, a mix of longing and dread.
It wasn't just an attraction. It was the way he ignored her. At dinner, he barely looked at her. When she stepped outside for air, his gaze slid past as if she weren't there. Suki had told her he was single, but the words had come with a pause and an apology, as though there was more she wasn't saying. Summer had smiled and brushed it off, but inside, she was saddened. Nyra must have noticed. "It's okay. No need to be nervous."
"I'm not," Summer lied.
Nyra's smirk said she didn't believe her. She knocked twice before the door swung open, revealing a short man with pure white hair, pale skin, and lines etched deep into his face.
"Miss Stig. Master Ezra said you'd be coming. And you must be Miss Waverton. Welcome, welcome."
"Anyone else here, Bill?" Nyra asked, already pulling Summer into the house.
The warmth hit her instantly. Wood walls, a wide ceiling, a chandelier casting golden light, the scent of fire, and a faint smell of honey.
Someone lounged in the armchair, head tilted back—white hair.
"Kael," Nyra said.
"Yes?" He popped a piece of popcorn into his mouth, then glanced over. His eyes lit up. "Oh, we have a guest."
He stood and walked straight toward her. For a moment, Summer thought he might shake her hand, but instead, he inhaled.
What the hell.
"Welcome. Nyra, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see Ezra. What are you doing here, freeloader?"
"Not a freeloader," he said, grinning. "I just like free things."
"That's the definition of a freeloader," she shot back.
"Whatever." His gaze returned to Summer. "I'm Kael. Sorry, we didn't meet sooner. I have terrible manners."
"Summer." She extended her hand, but instead of shaking it, he lifted it to his lips and kissed the back gently.
Heat flushed her cheeks.
A low growl rumbled behind him.
"Ezra," Nyra said quickly.
"You didn't tell me you were bringing a guest," he said, voice cool.
"I forgot," Nyra replied, glancing between the three of them. Kael had already wandered toward the open kitchen.
"If it's a problem, I can leave," Summer offered.
"No. Stay. Your brother will be here soon." Ezra's gaze flicked to Nyra, then to her. "Why are you here?"
"She needs a job," Nyra answered for her.
Ezra's eyes narrowed, teeth flashing for a brief second. Without another word, he turned and walked away.
"Follow him," Kael murmured from behind her, his breath warm against her ear.
She did, boots whispering over the wood floor. The hallway was wide, the air scented faintly with vanilla. When she stepped into the room at the end, it was like crossing into another world.
Books filled the walls. A fire crackled in the hearth. A lion's pelt lay spread across the floor. The large oak desk sat near a tall window where the winter light spilled in.
Ezra was on the table, one leg draped over the arm, the other resting on the floor. His brown eyes were sharp, his mouth set in a firm line. Faded jeans and a plain T-shirt, but somehow the simplicity made him more dangerous.
"Close the door behind you," he said.
She did.
****
Ezra
Her hair was down today, a strip of fabric holding it back from her face. Avery had once called it a headband. He hadn't paid much attention then, but now the thought of buying her more, enough for every day of the week, slid into his mind uninvited. Anything to make her comfortable. Anything to make her happy. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Tea?" he asked.
"No."
"Water?"
"No." She sighed. "I want nothing."
"Okay."
She coughed softly.
"Are you cold?"
"No. Allergies."
"In my office?"
"No. Once the snow melts, I'll be fine."
"Then okay."
Silence settled between them, heavy and brittle, until she spoke again.
"I need a job."
"I thought you wanted to go back to college."
Her jaw tightened. Stupid Finn.
"Yeah… but not right now. I just want to keep busy. I'm tired of staying inside all day."
"What are your skills?"
"I worked in a library before. I was the assistant."
Don't do it, Ezra told himself. Don't even think about it. You're supposed to keep your distance, not pull her closer. But his eyes stayed locked on hers, and something inside him tipped forward.
"My mother is in need of a libarary assistant . Since my sister is on a vaction."
Her mouth curved into a pout, and he caught the quick flick of her tongue across her lip. His body reacted instantly, heat sparking low, pulling at him. He grounded himself with a breath and turned toward the open window.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" she asked.
He looked over his shoulder at her. "Why wouldn't it be?"
"You don't know me, your mother definitly doesnt know me. I'm not even sure you know my name."
He started toward her, slow and deliberate. "I know your name."
She took a small step back until her spine almost met the door.
"Your name is Summer." His voice was low now. "And I know you know mine."
She swallowed hard.
"Say it."
"Huh?"
He closed the last inches between them until their breaths mingled.
"Say my name."
"Ezra," she whispered.
His hand lifted, almost touching her. "Good girl."
The latch clicked behind her. He stepped back.
"I'll see you Monday, Summer."
Her pulse thundered as she slipped out, heart in her throat, until she stood before Kael and Nyra, who were speaking in low voices.
"Well, I got a job," she said, still catching her breath.