The next morning, the sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the cabin. The world outside was already buzzing with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves, but inside, everything felt slow, sleepy, theirs.

Melina stirred first, blinking against the golden morning light. Tucker was still fast asleep beside her, one arm draped over her waist, his face buried in the pillow. His hair was a tousled mess, sticking up in different directions, and the faintest trace of stubble shadowed his jaw. She smiled to herself, taking in the details—his steady breathing, the warmth of his skin against hers, the way he instinctively pulled her closer even in sleep.

Tomorrow was his birthday. And she knew.

She had known for days now—maybe even weeks. Tucker wasn't exactly subtle when he was trying to keep a secret. The hushed phone calls, the way he'd disappear for a few minutes when they were out, the lingering looks like he was memorizing her face. And then, of course, his mom's text.

Do it on your birthday. Make it even more special.

She had only caught a glimpse of the message when she reached over him to grab her water bottle the other night. Tucker had immediately snatched his phone away, mumbling something about boring family stuff, but she wasn't dumb.

And yet... she wasn't nervous.

When she thought about Tucker being her person forever, it wasn't scary. It didn't feel overwhelming or like a life-altering shift. It felt right. Like it had been set in motion long before either of them realized it.

She reached out, trailing her fingers lightly over the tattoos inked along his ribs. He shifted at the touch, his muscles flexing instinctively before relaxing again. A small, sleepy groan left his lips, and she bit back a grin.

"Are you staring at me?" he mumbled, voice thick with sleep.

Melina smirked. "No."

Tucker peeked one eye open, a slow, lazy smile tugging at his lips. "Liar. You're totally staring at me."

"I was admiring the view."

"Mmm," he hummed, his voice still raspy. "You're not even being subtle about it."

She ran a teasing hand down his chest, fingers grazing the lines of his tattoos. "Not my fault you insist on being hot."

He chuckled, rolling onto his back and stretching his arms above his head. "Guess you'll have to suffer, then."

"Oh, I'm suffering," she teased, pressing a quick kiss to his shoulder before settling back against him. "It's awful."

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer until she was practically on top of him. "You're ridiculous."

"Says the guy who keeps pretending he's not planning something," she murmured.

Tucker stiffened for half a second—just a flicker—but it was enough for Melina to know she was right.

She grinned against his skin. "Relax. I'm not gonna ruin it for you."

Tucker exhaled, tilting his head to look at her. "So you do know."

She shrugged. "Just a feeling."

A slow smile spread across his lips. "You're impossible."

"You love it."

He tightened his grip around her, rolling them so he was hovering over her now, arms bracing on either side of her. His curls fell forward slightly, and Melina reached up to brush them from his face.

"Yeah," he said softly. "I do."

Her heart swelled at the way he looked at her, the absolute certainty in his voice.

And just like that, the whole world felt lighter.







The day stretched out lazily, drenched in golden sunlight that filtered through the trees. It was warm, the kind of heat that settled into your skin and made time feel slower, softer. The cabin, their little escape, felt like it existed outside of the real world—just the two of them, tucked away in their own bubble.

Tucker had been acting different all day. Not in a bad way—if anything, he was even sweeter than usual. Little touches, lingering glances, hands on her waist a second longer than necessary. She wasn't oblivious. She knew what was coming.

And Tucker knew that she knew.

But neither of them said anything about it. Not yet.

Instead, they fell into their easy rhythm. Breakfast together, coffee on the porch, stretched out side by side on the sun-warmed steps. Melina sat with her legs folded, absentmindedly stirring her drink, while Tucker leaned back against the railing, head tipped up toward the sky.

"You're suspiciously quiet," she mused, nudging his foot with hers.

Tucker cracked one eye open. "Just enjoying the moment."

"Uh-huh," she said, unconvinced.

He smirked but didn't argue.

After a few minutes, Melina stood, stretching her arms over her head, the sun hitting her bare skin. She was still in her bikini from earlier, her body warm from the heat, and when she glanced down, Tucker's eyes were locked on her.

"You're staring," she teased, mirroring what he had said to her the night before.

"Yeah," he admitted, completely shameless.

Melina grinned before stepping off the porch into the grass. The sprinklers had kicked on earlier, leaving the lawn damp and cool beneath her feet. Without thinking, she stepped into the spray, gasping when the cold water hit her overheated skin.

Tucker raised a brow from the porch. "You are a child."

She shot him a playful glare before kicking up a small wave of water in his direction. It didn't quite reach him, but the challenge was obvious.

"Oh, so that's how it is?" He set his coffee down and stood.

She barely had time to react before he was sprinting toward her, barefoot across the grass. With a squeal, she turned to run, but he caught her easily, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her right off the ground.

"Tucker!" she shrieked, laughing as he spun her in circles under the water.

"Actions have consequences, Melina," he teased, holding her tight as the cool mist soaked them both.

She clung to him instinctively, her arms looped around his neck, her legs around his waist. He slowed, his breathing slightly uneven, his forehead pressing gently against hers. Water dripped from his hair, sliding down his cheek, his lips parted just slightly.

Her chest ached at the sight of him.

"Tucker?" she murmured.

He hesitated for a moment, something unreadable in his expression. Then he shook his head, smiling softly. "Nothing. Just—" His thumb traced along her jaw, his voice quiet. "You make everything better."

Her heart squeezed.

"Yeah?" she whispered.

He nodded. "Yeah."

She kissed him then, slow and deep, her fingers tangling in his damp hair as the water rained down around them. Tucker pulled her closer, his grip tightening, like he never wanted to let go.

And honestly? She never wanted him to.

Neither of them noticed his phone vibrating a few feet away on the porch, a text lighting up the screen.

Mom: Two days left. You ready?







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