Saturday mornings at the Reed house were sacred.Pajamas until noon, pancakes on the griddle, and Maya's dad humming off-key while the coffee brewed. It was the one time of the week Maya could count on peace.
So of course Jace Carter had to ruin it.
The doorbell rang just as she was flipping a pancake. Maya frowned, wiping her hands on a dish towel. Her dad was still upstairs, and her little sister Sophie was sprawled on the couch watching cartoons.
When she opened the door, Jace was standing there with his backpack slung over one shoulder and a grin like he owned the place.
"Morning, Reed," he said easily, like this was normal.
Maya blinked. "It's Maya. What are you doing here?"
"Studying. Remember the project?" He leaned casually against the door frame. "Your dad said I could come by."
She narrowed her eyes. "My dad—what?"
"Yeah. I've been here before. Poker nights? BBQ last summer? Great backyard, by the way." He stepped inside without waiting for permission. "Feels like home."
Maya sputtered. "You can't just—"
"Jace!" her dad's voice boomed from upstairs. "Help yourself to breakfast!"
Jace shot her a smug look. "Told you."
At the sound of a new voice, Sophie turned on the couch, blinking at him. She was six, all tangled hair and curious eyes.
"Who's that?" she asked.
Maya groaned. "Nobody."
Jace crouched a little, offering Sophie a smile. "I'm Jace. Your sister's study partner. You must be Sophie."
Sophie tilted her head, thoughtful. "You're the boy Maya complains about all the time."
Maya nearly choked. "Sophie!"
But Jace just laughed, clearly delighted. "That's me."
Sophie grinned, instantly comfortable. "Want a pancake?"
"Don't mind if I do." He followed her into the kitchen like he'd been living there for years, leaving Maya rooted to the entryway, fuming.
By the time she joined them, Jace was already at the table, chatting with Sophie about cartoons and happily drowning his pancake in syrup. Her dad came down, clapping Jace on the shoulder like he was part of the family.
Maya sat across from him, stabbing her pancake with unnecessary force. "You don't live here, you know."
"Could've fooled me," Jace said, mouth full.
Sophie giggled. "I like him."
Maya dropped her fork. "Of course you do."
And just like that, her peaceful Saturday morning was officially destroyed.