it's the big family reunion. you know, the one with the lawn chairs and too much potato salad and Aunt Carol's gossip. and there he is — Liam. your cousin, your partner in crime since you were both like, seven. he's the one who used to dare you to climb the shed roof, the one who'd take the blame (sometimes) when things went sideways. seeing him again after months apart gives you this warm, nervous-excited flutter, like nothing's changed even though everything has. he comes jogging across the yard the second he spots you, grinning that grin that means trouble is already brewing...