Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Brie.

Tristan was becoming my stepbrother, and we were already moving into the Langford mansion on Sunday.

I didn’t know how to process the fact that my longtime crush and best friend was about to become my stepbrother. It was overwhelming. I couldn’t say anything to Mom—it would ruin her happiness.

So I swallowed it.

Who cared about my feelings anyway? Tristan didn’t feel the same way.

That night, Tristan texted me after receiving the same news from his father. He even called me sister. He asked if I was against it, but I had no choice but to support Mom.

Now, Mom and I were already in a truck, moving our things to their mansion.

The moment we arrived, Mr. Langford stepped outside.

“Sierra!” he called out, walking toward Mom and pulling her into a tight hug.

I tried to take some of our things down, but the workers rushed toward me.

“Brie, don’t bother,” Mr. Langford said kindly. “Just go inside. They’ll bring your things in for you.”

I nodded and walked inside slowly.

Mom and I had visited the mansion a few times since Dad died and we moved to the city nine years ago. That was when Tristan and I became best friends, when our families grew close. I never imagined they’d start dating.

Tristan’s mom divorced Mr. Langford years ago. No one knew where she was now.

“Come on, Brie,” Mr. Langford said. “They’ll get your things later. May I show you your room?”

He started moving upstairs. Mom had a huge smile on her face.

I followed quietly.

When he opened the door, I gasped.

He had arranged everything, everything a teenage girl like me could possibly need.“Mr. Langford!” I screamed in excitement, throwing my arms around him.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

I nodded immediately as I pulled away.

“I love it.”

“I’m glad you do,” he said warmly. “It’s my responsibility to take care of you now, Brie. The room opposite yours is Tristan’s. You both will do well as siblings.” He smiled, pointing to the door directly facing my room.

“I’ll take my leave now,” he added before walking away. I let out a deep sigh once I was alone, slowly running my eyes around the room.

It was absolutely beautiful. I went to the desk and sat, checking it out, before eventually pulling out my journal, the same one I had written so many things about Tristan in.

I took out my pen and wrote:

Dear diary, today I’m one step closer to my crush, the journal was suddenly snatched from my hands. I gasped and spun around.

“Tristan!”

He stood there in nothing but a towel, hair still damp, droplets of water trailing down his neck. He must have just come out of the shower. I hadn’t even realized my door was open.

“Tristan, give it back!” I rushed toward him, reaching for it, but he leaned back against the door and it shut behind him.

“‘Dear diary, I’m one step away from my crush,’” he read aloud casually, holding it above his head.

My heart pounded wildly.

“It’s rude to read someone’s diary, Tristan,” I snapped, heat flooding my face.

“You have a crush and you didn’t tell me?” he asked, lowering the journal slightly.

“It….it’s fiction,” I blurted. “It’s the start of my new book.”

I didn’t even know where that lie came from but that was fast and I'm glad the lie came through.

“You’re writing a book, Brie?” he asked, amused.

“Well, yes. Now give it back.” I stretched my hand toward him, stepping closer.

His lips curled into a slow smirk.

“Wonder what else is in here,” he teased. “Does my nerdy best friend get some… dirty thoughts too?” He tried flipping the pages open, and I lunged for it, struggling to grab it back. He lifted it higher, laughing, clearly enjoying the fact that I was too short to reach.

I jumped once,twice, and then it happened. My hands slammed into his waist, completely unprovoked, and

the towel slipped. My breath hitched.

Time froze.