The Hawthorne House was unpredictable.

People believed the mansion's greatest mysteries were hidden behind locked doors or tucked inside impossible riddles, but those puzzles eventually revealed their answers. The people living within its walls were far more complicated. Jameson turned every conversation into a competition, Xander approached each day with another invention, and Nash somehow kept us all grounded. They were constants in a life that rarely offered any.

Routine was easier to understand.

I was reviewing documents in the library when laughter echoed through the hallway. Jameson had probably convinced Xander to participate in another challenge neither of them would admit was a bad idea. A moment later, Avery appeared in the doorway wearing the unmistakable smile she only had when something—or someone—made her day.

“I hope all of you are planning to be on your best behavior,” Avery announced.

Jameson looked up from a chessboard. “That depends. Should I be worried?"

“You should be polite."

“That's not what I asked.”

She smiled. “My best friend, Ivy, is coming to visit."

“The infamous best friend?" Jameson responded, curious.

“The one you've somehow never told us anything about?" Xander asked, carrying what looked suspiciously like another unfinished invention.

“I've told Libby and Max plenty."

Almost on cue, Libby walked in with Max beside her.

“Ivy's finally coming?" Libby asked.

Avery nodded.

“I can't wait to see her again,” she responded.

"It's been too long. She's going to love the gardens,” Maxine commented.

Jameson looked between them with exaggerated disbelief.

"Hold on. Everyone knows this girl except us?"

Nash entered with a mug of coffee. “Looks that way."

He placed a hand over his heart. “I'm offended."

"You'll survive."

The room filled with easy laughter. I found myself noticing the excitement Avery, Libby, and Max shared. Whoever Ivy was, she clearly meant something to all three of them.

That alone was... interesting.

The sound of tires crunching over the gravel interrupted the conversation.

"She's here."

Jameson reached the foyer first, naturally, with Xander close behind. Libby and Max followed Avery while Nash shook his head and trailed after them.

I stayed where I was for another moment.

Guests came to Hawthorne House often enough.

There was no reason this one should matter.

Still, I closed the folder on the desk and walked toward the entrance hall.

Warm afternoon light spilled through the open front doors. Avery laughed as she greeted someone just outside. Libby stepped forward first, pulling the infamous Ivy into a hug before Max welcomed her back with an easy smile.

Only then did Avery notice me.

“There you are." Her smile widened. “Grayson."

She stepped aside.

"I want you to meet my best friend... Ivy Swann."

The girl turned toward me.

Our eyes met.

And every observation I'd made that morning...

Every thought still lingering in my mind...

Vanished.

For the first time in a very long while...

I had absolutely no idea what to say.