hen the weather gets worse, Kali ends up closing the cafe early. I'm in the middle of fixing another hole in the roof when Jordan walks in, soaked to the bone, but there's a sliver of relief on his face at the fact there's no thunder or lightning – yet.

Wind batters the shutters in a way that makes him jump. I hide my smile so as not to seem like I'm laughing at him, but I have to admit, the concerned, alert expression he's wearing is ridiculously cute. My smile falls when I realize it's just another reason why Jordan could never belong here: storms are like this are guaranteed.

I glance at the window, beyond the torrent of rain, and out at the harbour. The dock looks strange now that there aren't any kids there. I'm used to them squealing as they jump from the boats, but the terrible weather has driven everyone inside, making the place feel like a ghost town.

Those of us still here get to work making the cafe hurricane proof. Despite being on hurricane watch, no one seems nervous or panicked except Jordan, who is busy boarding up one of the windows with muscles so tense, it looks like his forearms are ready to snap.

My heart aches. He's been avoiding looking at me ever since he got back from the inn, so I know that he's mad. I don't blame him, either, but as much as I wish things were different, they aren't. He's leaving soon, I'm heading to college – the odds are just not in our favor.

I finish off mopping the water from the counter and quickly move behind him, resting a hand on his arm. "Are you–" he jumps so hard that I retreat my hand as he whips around to face me. "Sorry," I say. "Didn't mean to scare you. Just checking you're all right."

"I'm fine." He tilts his head, those gray eyes cool. "Who doesn't love a good hurricane now and then?"

I smile and say, "Normal people. Do you need any help?"

"Nah, I got it."

My shoulders deflate. "Okay, well we should get going soon. The storm is probably going to get worse. I'll call my dad to give us a ride."

"All right. Let me get my bag."

With a brief nod, I pull out my phone before messaging my dad. He sends one straight back, telling me he'll be here in five. Phone away, I head over to Lina, who is busy hiding behind the counter, tapping away on her phone. Kali has already scolded her twice for not helping out, so now she's getting creative.

"Jordan hates me because I said we can't talk when he gets back to Chicago," I say.

"You sound surprised," she says, looking up. "I'd hate you if you told me that."

"I know," I say, sighing. "I just feel like I'm stuck in a crappy situation, you know? I'm going off to college, you're going off to college, he's going back to Chicago, the cafe is being sold. Everything sucky is happening at once."

She puts her phone down and grabs my hand, forcing me to crouch with her. "Look, I love you," she says, "so don't bite my head off, but it's obvious you're sabotaging a potential relationship with Jordan because you're scared of getting hurt, but getting hurt is a part of life, Evvy. As my mom likes to say, you can't stop a storm, you just have to brace yourself for impact and pick yourself back up when it's over."

"I hate when you quote your mom. She's always right."

Lina smiles. "Exactly." She pulls me in, kissing my cheek, and says, "You'll figure it all out. You always do."

She's wrong, but I love her for saying it anyway. We straighten up and let out a yelp when we find Kali towering us.

"I see you both graduated from the same school of being useless," he says, throwing a towel at Lina. "You're the one I'm actually paying, so go and do something."

Lina rolls her eyes and moves toward one of the tables that need clearing. He turns to me now, arms folded, but there's a soft, subtle glint in his eyes.

"He tell you about the new potential buyers?" he asks.

"Yep. I guess we should be thankful they aren't tearing the place down."

"They seemed pretty nice when I met them," he says. "Young couple, laidback. I know it's not the outcome you wanted, but things could be worse, right?"

Those words are supposed to make me feel better, but they don't. "Yeah, you're right." The quick beep of a horn sounds through thundering wind, so I turn to the window, where Dad's headlights are just about visible through the glass. Jordan is already waiting by the door, hood up, head down, bracing himself for the weather. "I need to go," I say. "My dad's here."

Kali nods and ruffles my hair in a way that I hate, but I can't help but smile anyway. "See you, kiddo. Stay out of trouble."

I cross the cafe, and we brace the weather together. It's hard to get my bike unlocked through the lashes of water, but just as I break it free, Jordan takes over and puts it in the trunk while I slip into the passenger seat. He slips into the back, and Dad swivels his head in surprise.

"Um, so I was wondering if Jordan could stay with us for a few days," I say. "His inn is preparing to evacuate and he's never experienced a hurricane before. If this does turn into a warning, I thought it would be better if he rode it out with us."

Dad looks at me now, eyes narrowed in a way that lets me know I'm in trouble. "Let's just get out of this rain," he says, which is code for, Evvy, we'll talk about this when we get home.

As soon as we're back, the three of us make a dash for the porch before hurrying inside. I'm suddenly hit with this familiar warmth, the same way as always when I'm home.

"Jordan, why don't you head to the bathroom and dry off?" Dad suggests. "It's upstairs and to the left."

Jordan nods, thanks him, and heads upstairs with his bags. In one quick move, Dad turns to me and gives me this disapproving look. "I'm not pleased about this, Evvy. Not because I have anything against helping Jordan, despite his demonic ways, but Lexi and I are heading to her new apartment today and we're not back until tomorrow. I don't feel comfortable leaving you in the house with a boy."

"You used to leave Ryan and me alone in the house all the time," I point out. My dad has never been the, no boys in the house or the bedroom type of Dad. He's well aware that Lexi and I are adults and has always treated us as such.

"Yes, I'm aware, but I hardly know Jordan. You hardly know Jordan."

It occurs to me that my dad has no idea how much time I've spent with Jordan, because I've never really spoken about it. "Look, it's just for a few days. He has a phobia of storms, and I don't think he should have to ride one out alone."

Dad's expression softens. I knew that would get him. "Fine, but he's sleeping in Lexi's room, and I want constant updates from you to make sure he hasn't murdered you and stuffed you in the basement."

"Uh, sure."

Lexi comes running down the stairs now, takes one look at me, and frowns. "If you're down here," she says slowly, "then who's in the bathroom?"

Dad shoots me a pointed look. "That would be Jordan."

Her eyebrows fly up. Dad nods and quickly explains the situation. "Well," she says, turning to Dad, "we should start loading my stuff into the car before it gets worse. The landlord said I have to collect the keys as soon as possible. You think he'd be more reasonable considering we're on watch, but no."

Dad sighs and gives me one final look. "Call me in an hour, all right? I mean it. I don't want to get home and find devil boy has hidden your body in some cave."

"I will." I kiss his cheek, then give Lexi a hug. "Send me a picture of the apartment once you're all unpacked."

She nods, and the pair of them start carrying things to the car while I head up to my bedroom and get changed. I'm trying to be calm, but inside my heart is pounding like a drum. After speaking with Lina, I feel so confused, but one thing's for certain: spending the night with Jordan is about to make everything more complicated.

☺️