Chapter 1: Homecoming Sparks
The late afternoon sun beat down on the cracked sidewalk as Mia Harper dragged her overstuffed suitcase up the familiar driveway of her childhood best friend’s house. At twenty-one, she felt both older and younger than the last time she’d been here—two years of college had changed her, but stepping back into this quiet suburban street made her feel like the same awkward teenager who’d spent countless summers lounging by Lena’s pool.
The front door flew open before she could even knock.
“Mia!” Lena squealed, launching herself down the steps and nearly tackling her in a hug. “You’re finally here! I’ve missed you so much.”
Mia laughed, dropping her bag to squeeze her friend back. Lena hadn’t changed a bit—still the same bubbly blonde with the infectious smile that made everyone love her.
“I missed you too,” Mia said, pulling back to look at her. “College is great, but nothing beats coming home for summer.”
“Come on, let’s get you inside. Dad’s at the gym, but he’ll be back soon. You’re staying with us the whole break, right? My room is all ready for late-night gossip sessions.”
Mia nodded, her stomach doing a little flip at the mention of Lena’s dad. Ryan Thompson. The man who’d starred in far too many of her secret fantasies since she was old enough to have them.
She followed Lena inside, the cool air-conditioning a relief after the humid walk from the bus stop. The house smelled exactly the same—like fresh laundry and whatever cologne Ryan wore that always lingered in the hallways. Something woodsy and masculine that made her knees weak even now.
They dumped her bags in Lena’s room, and within minutes they were sprawled across the bed, catching up on everything. Classes, boys (or lack thereof, in Mia’s case), parties, drama. It felt good to be back with someone who knew her completely.
“You know what you need?” Lena said suddenly, sitting up. “A total glow-up summer. You’ve been hiding behind those baggy sweaters for way too long. We should get you in shape—feel confident, sexy, all that.”
Mia raised an eyebrow. “Are you calling me fat?”
“No!” Lena swatted her arm. “I’m saying you’re gorgeous and curvy and should own it. But if you want to feel stronger, hotter… Dad’s gym is literally the best place in town. He’ll give you a free membership, obviously.”
Mia’s heart stuttered. Ryan’s gym. The one he’d opened after retiring from the Marines five years ago. She’d seen pictures on Lena’s social media—Ryan in tight workout shirts, muscles straining, tattoos peeking out from under sleeves. The place was packed with serious athletes and people who actually knew what they were doing.
“I don’t know, Leens. I’d probably embarrass myself.”
“You won’t! Dad gives private sessions to new members sometimes. And come on—it’ll be fun. We can go together.”
Mia hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. Fine. But if I die on a treadmill, it’s your fault.”
Lena grinned triumphantly. “Deal. We’ll start tomorrow.”
The sound of the front door opening downstairs made them both pause.
“Girls?” Ryan’s deep voice rumbled through the house, the kind of voice that seemed to vibrate straight through Mia’s chest.
“Up here, Dad!” Lena called.
Heavy footsteps on the stairs. Mia’s pulse kicked into overdrive. She sat up quickly, smoothing her hair, suddenly hyper-aware of the soft curves her sundress hugged—curves she usually tried to hide under oversized clothes.
And then he was there, filling the doorway.
Ryan Thompson was even more intimidating in person than in photos. At forty-two, he looked like he could still storm a beachhead single-handedly. Six-foot-three, broad shoulders, thick arms corded with muscle and covered in intricate black ink that disappeared under the sleeves of his fitted black T-shirt. His dark hair was cropped short, just starting to gray at the temples in a way that only made him more dangerously attractive. Storm-gray eyes swept the room, landing on Mia with an intensity that made her breath catch.
“Mia,” he said, voice low and rough. “Been a while.”
She managed a smile, hoping it didn’t look as shaky as it felt. “Hi, Mr. Thompson.”
He gave a small huff—half laugh, half something else—and stepped into the room. “Still calling me that after all these years? Makes me feel ancient.”
Lena rolled her eyes. “She’s polite, Dad. Unlike some people.”
Ryan ignored her, his gaze still on Mia. She felt it like a physical touch, moving slowly from her face down the length of her body and back up again. Not leering—more like he was cataloging every change since the last time he’d seen her. When his eyes met hers again, something dark and unreadable flickered there.
“Good to have you home,” he said finally. “Lena says you’re staying the summer?”
Mia nodded, throat dry. “If that’s okay.”
“More than okay.” His mouth curved in a half-smile that did absolutely nothing to calm her racing heart. “Dinner’s in an hour. I picked up steaks.”
He turned to leave, pausing at the door. “And Lena’s right about the gym. You’re welcome anytime. First session on me.”
The way he said it—low, almost challenging—sent heat rushing through her. Then he was gone, footsteps retreating down the stairs.
Lena flopped back on the bed with a dramatic sigh. “See? Told you he’d be cool about it.”
Mia forced a laugh, but her skin still tingled where his gaze had lingered.
Tomorrow she’d walk into his gym. Tomorrow she’d be close enough to smell that cologne, to feel the full force of those eyes on her while she tried not to make a fool of herself.
She had no idea how she was going to survive the summer.
But something told her Ryan Thompson was going to make sure she did—in ways she’d only ever dreamed about.
