Effie stood up, reaching for a book on a higher shelf.


    She picked one that was just out of reach. Undeterred, she jumped, fingers grazing the spine, and managed to snatch the book-only to lose her bnce and topple backward.


    But the pain she braced for never came. Instead, she found herself pressed up against something solid and warm—a wall of muscle, not floorboards.


    Turning her head, she saw Lyman.


    His brows were drawn together, worry etched into his handsome face. "Are you alright?" he asked.


    The setting sun nted through the window, casting golden light across Lyman''s features. One half of his face was bathed in sunlight, sharp and striking, while the other half lingered in shadow, unexpectedly gentle.


    Effie stared, momentarily spellbound. It was as if God Himself had sculpted this man, and then decided He couldn''t possibly do any better.


    How could anyone be this good-looking?


    "I-I''m fine..." she stammered.


    Lyman gently set her down on the sofa. “If there''s anything you want to readter, just tell me," he said softly.


    He''d been watching her the whole time. The moment she started to fall, his eyes went wide and he dashed over in a heartbeat.


    Thank God he was quick; otherwise, Effie could''ve gotten hurt. Even now, his heart was still pounding.


    Effie tried to wave off his concern. "Alright, alright. I promise, no more risky moves. Go finish what you were doing."


    Lyman nodded. “Okay."


    But as he walked away, he couldn''t help but nce back at her every now and then, still worried. He caught himself and chuckled, shaking his head. When did he start acting like a babysitter?


    Finally, his work was done. He stood, stretched, and walked over to Effie. "Come on, let''s go home."


    Effie hurriedly snapped her book shut and nodded, "Yeah, let''s go."


    When they got back to her grandmother''s ce, they found her already packed- just a small travel bag sitting by the door.


    Effie understood immediately: her grandmother''s talk of moving in with them had just been a polite gesture. She never really nned to leave her own home behind.


    "Grandma, why''d you only pack so little?" Effie asked, feigning innocence.


    Her grandmother''s eyes flickered. "Oh, I don''t have much to take. Just grabbed a few things to change into, that''s all.”


    Effie smiled gently. "Grandma, if you ever want toe back here-even just for a visit I''lle with you. I promise."


    She could see how much her grandmother loved this house. It was the ce she and Grandpa had shared for decades. No wonder she was reluctant to leave.


    Her grandmother nodded, eyes soft. "Alright."


    Later that evening, the three of them went out for dinner. Halfway through the meal, Grandma excused herself saying she needed the restroom. Effie escorted her outside-there were no restrooms in the dining area, so guests had to use the ones down the hall.


    While waiting, Effie pulled out her phone to pass the time with a quick game.


    She''d been ying nts vs.


    Zombies since college, beating every level again and again. Each time she defeated the final boss, she''d start over, relishing the simple, mindless fun.


    Mitchell always teased her for it, iming her gaming tastes were boring.


    But Effie didn''t care. Games were


    antea


    supposed to be rxing. Mitchell, on the other hand, yedpetitive shooters, and whenever he lost a match he''d spend the rest of the day sulking and cursing at his teammates.


    She much preferred her way-something easy, something that made her smile.


    Suddenly, a mocking voice rang out behind her. "Well, well, look who it is."