Stella spent the next few days walking around in a haze of anticipation and caution. She had agreed to give Noah a chance, but her heart still tiptoed around memories of their painful history. They hadn't set up a date for their next meetup, but Noah texted her every morning, sometimes slipping in a witty comment or a half-flirty invitation to coffee. And each time her phone buzzed, she felt a strange flutter of warmth she hadn't expected.Until one text appeared that stopped her heart cold.Noah: Just heard something interesting from Talia. Care to explain why you never published that first novel?Her stomach twisted as she stared at the message, a surge of embarrassment and irritation bubbling up. She'd kept the novel hidden, a project that once represented her biggest hopes but now felt like a relic of a more naive version of herself. She'd barely even mentioned it to Kai, let alone anyone else.Stella: Is Talia digging up dirt on me? Or are you just being nosy?Moments later, her phone buzzed again.Noah: Not nosy, just interested. I always wondered why you kept your writing so under wraps. Talent like that shouldn't stay hidden.The warmth his words sparked only fueled her confusion and anxiety. She hadn't expected Noah to even remember her passion for writing, much less ask her about it. But the idea of anyone reading that manuscript now felt too close, too personal.Stella: It was just a thing I wrote years ago, Noah. Nothing to lose sleep over.She didn't want to reopen that part of herself. Not yet.Later That WeekThe crisp winter air nipped at Stella's cheeks as she stood outside a small downtown gallery, scanning the crowd. Talia had insisted she join for a "girl's night" art opening, even convincing Kai to tag along. Stella, Talia, and Kai had spent hours laughing and wandering through the art pieces on display. The night had gone smoothly—until Kai decided to leave early, and a text message suddenly had Talia acting like a secret agent."Are you sure there's no one else coming?" Stella asked as they walked outside, her arms crossed against the cold.Talia feigned innocence, her cheeks flushing as she looked away. "Not at all. Just wanted a nice night out with you and Kai.""Oh, come on," Stella scoffed, catching the hint of mischief in Talia's eyes. "What aren't you telling me?"Just then, she felt a familiar warmth at her side, and she turned to see Noah stepping out of a sleek black car, his gaze locking on hers. His mouth quirked in a faint smile, both sheepish and amused. Stella felt a mix of surprise and irritation flare up."Noah?" she stammered. "What are you doing here?"He shrugged, looking at Talia. "Apparently, I was invited. Something about helping you 'relax,'" he said with a teasing glance at Talia, who offered an innocent smile.Stella's mind raced, both nervous and excited. "I should've known."Talia shot them both a wink before disappearing into the gallery again, leaving them alone on the chilly street."Since we're here, can I buy you a late-night snack?" he offered, his smile softening as he caught her gaze.She rolled her eyes, pulling her coat tighter against the cold. "Fine. But you're still paying for making me freeze out here."Half an Hour LaterThey found themselves seated in a cozy café with steaming mugs of cocoa in hand. Noah watched her, his eyes attentive and focused."Let's play a game," he said suddenly, leaning forward with a challenging smile. "I ask a question, you ask a question. No dodging allowed."Stella narrowed her eyes, intrigued. "Fine. You go first.""What was your novel about?"She hesitated, caught off guard, and took a sip of cocoa to buy herself time. "It was... about a girl trying to escape expectations and find her own way. Classic coming-of-age stuff."Noah nodded thoughtfully. "I'd like to read it sometime."She snorted, shaking her head. "Absolutely not. It's buried for a reason.""Fair enough." He smirked. "Your turn."She tapped her finger on her mug, eyeing him. "Why haven't you dated anyone seriously in the last few years?"His face sobered, a flicker of sadness flashing in his eyes before he shrugged. "Because I thought I missed my chance."The weight of his words hung between them, and she looked away, her heart pounding."Alright, next question," he said softly, breaking the tension. "Why did you and Kai ever stop spending summers with our families?"Stella's brow furrowed, her own memories coming back in fragments. "Kai wanted to focus on his college internship. But I think I just... wanted distance. Too many memories, I guess."She glanced up to find Noah watching her, his gaze intense. "Stella, you can be honest with me."She swallowed, trying to steady herself. "I was scared, Noah. Scared of seeing you, of feeling like I was stuck in the past.""I get that," he murmured. "But you know, I never stopped thinking about you. Not even once."Her heart raced, and she felt her cheeks warm under his gaze. For so long, she'd convinced herself that he had moved on without a second thought. Hearing him admit otherwise felt strangely comforting.Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a message from Kai: "Can we meet up? Need to talk about something.""Everything alright?" Noah asked, noticing her shift in expression."Yeah, just... Kai wants to meet up," she replied, glancing out the window, lost in thought.Noah leaned back, his gaze contemplative. "Is Kai still angry with me?"Stella shook her head. "He's just protective. You're his best friend, and he didn't like seeing me hurt.""Fair," Noah muttered, looking down. "I should probably have a real conversation with him, too."A pang of hope and worry twisted in her stomach. "Just... don't push too hard with him. He's not the easiest person to talk to about... feelings."Noah gave her a small smile. "I'll try my best."The Next DayThe next morning, Stella met Kai at a small café near campus, the tension between them palpable.Kai was direct, as usual. "Look, I know you're seeing Noah again, and I get that this isn't my business, but you know how he is, Stella."Stella exhaled, bracing herself. "I know, Kai. And I know you're looking out for me, but things are different now.""Are they?" Kai pressed, his brow furrowing. "Because I don't want you to get hurt again. You're my little sister, and Noah's... complicated."Stella felt a surge of frustration. "People can change, Kai. I've changed. And maybe he has, too. But I'm not that same girl from three years ago."Kai held her gaze, the concern in his eyes softening. "I just want you to be happy, Stella. If Noah can make that happen, fine. But if he messes up...""He won't," she said, more to herself than to him."But if he, I am gonna kill me with my hands" she said in a grinning voice.After their conversation, Stella found herself wandering down memory lane. She walked the familiar paths near her college, memories of her past with Noah washing over her—secret conversations, laughter, and that pull between them that had never quite gone away.That EveningLater, as she walked home, her phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number:Unknown: "You don't know the whole story, Stella. Be careful who you trust."Her heart skipped, a chill running down her spine as she stared at the cryptic message. Who could this be?