The kitchen felt alive in a way it hadn’t for years—a tapestry of voices, laughter, and the irresistible smell of homemade Colombian snacks filling the air. I sat at the worn wooden table, cradling Sofia on my lap as she cozied up with her favorite doll, her small hands clutching it tightly. Abuela had tried to ply me with one of her famous snack trays just moments before, but I’d deftly evaded her persistent offers.

“So, how’ve you been, Val?” I asked, trying to keep my tone casual, though a flicker of nervousness crept in.

Valeria smiled softly, eyes distant for a moment but warm. “I’ve been… managing. It’s been a rough patch, but now that we’re back in the States, I feel like some weight has been lifted.”

Her words hung in the air, and I hesitated before adding, “After the…” I trailed off, suddenly aware I might be prying where I shouldn’t.

She raised an eyebrow knowingly. “Divorce,” she finished for me.

I nodded, a slight grimace crossing my features. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep.”

“No, it’s fine,” Val said with a sigh. “Better days are ahead.”

I returned her smile, feeling a warmth I hadn’t realized I’d missed. “It’s really good to see you again after all this time.”

She squeezed my knee lightly. “It’s good to see you, too. You’ve grown a lot.”

I chuckled, recalling the last time I’d been inside the Quintero home—six years ago, before London pulled Valeria and Isabella away. Life had kept me busy with school and football, and though I was neighbors with Abuela, our visits were rare and often brief. Still, I’d stopped by when I could, helping her with small chores and sharing brief moments.

Curiosity nudged me. “Where’s Isabella?”

Val shook her head, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Still sleeping. I tried waking her, but there’s no rousing my niece once she’s in dreamland.”

Before I could follow up, the kitchen door burst open, and in tumbled three women, full of energy and high spirits.

Valeria leapt from her seat, shrieking excitedly as she launched herself into their embrace. Linh, Val, and Eve clung to each other, their laughter echoing with youthful abandon.

“Ladies!” a voice called out, mock irritation behind the words. “You’re wrecking my eardrums.”

The trio broke apart, bashful grins replacing their shrieks.

“Yeah, we sound like teenagers,” Linh admitted, smoothing her hair back.

Eve grinned brightly. “Who cares? It’s just so good to see you, Val. I’ve missed you like crazy!”

“I’ve missed you too,” Valeria said, dabbing her eyes.

Behind them in the doorway stood two girls watching the reunion with amused expressions—Mia, arms crossed and skeptical, and Grace, eyebrow arched in amused disbelief.

Their eyes soon caught mine as I sat at the table, and they approached with beaming smiles, pausing only to greet Val with pecks on the cheek.

“Hey,” I started to say, but they quickly crouched to fuss over Sofia, cooing and making silly noises that only toddlers could truly appreciate.

Grace scooped Sofia up, planting soft kisses on her cheeks. “She’s just like baby Isabella,” she said, making Sofia giggle in delight.

Mia joined in, speaking in an exaggerated high-pitched baby talk that sounded like nonsense to me, but Sofia clearly adored the attention.

Once they gently set Sofia down, they turned their attention to me and offered quick hugs.

“So, Mr. Popular, how have you been?” Mia teased as she settled next to me.

Grace chimed in, “Yeah, we haven’t heard from you in forever.”

I raised a brow, smirking. “Mr. Popular?”

Grace rolled her eyes playfully. “After you got all handsome and cool, you went MIA. We’re a little mad.”

“Handsome?” I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re joking.”

“Don’t lie—you know you’re hot.”

“I’m just messing,” I said with a grin. “I never forgot about you. I wish we’d stayed in touch.”

A pang of regret hit me. The last time we really talked was middle school, and it stung to realize how much time had slipped by without connection.

“At least now we’re back together,” I added hopefully.

Mia smiled but clicked her tongue. “Not the whole gang. Dylan, Isabella, and Aidan are missing.”

“Don’t worry,” I said, patting her hand reassuringly. “They’ll be here soon. Just got a notification—they’re arriving in about twenty minutes.”

Grace’s eyes lit up. “Aidan? And Dylan too?” Her cheeks flushed as she quickly pulled out her phone, checking her reflection and smoothing her hair and lip gloss.

Mia gave me a puzzled look, mirroring my own confusion.

I steered the conversation back. “Anyway, how have you both been?”

We chatted, sharing stories about school and life, until Mia glanced at her phone and clapped her hands.

“Guys, where’s Isabella? It’s almost three.”

“Val said she’s still asleep,” Grace replied.

Grace made a face of mock horror. “She can sleep later! I haven’t seen her in six years—I’m waking her up!”

We watched as she navigated past Abuela, who was already offering more food with a determined smile, and Grace disappeared down the hallway toward the bedrooms upstairs.

Mia sighed happily beside me. “I can’t believe we’re all together again.”

I nodded, a grin spreading. “I missed this. Our little gang.”

Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the calm, making me jump from my seat.

Mia and I exchanged startled looks and sprinted into the hallway, where we found Grace spinning someone around in circles with wild abandon.

Mia squealed, barreling into the pair with such force that all three of them collapsed in a heap on the floor, limbs tangled in laughter and chaos.

From beneath the pile, a sharp squawk emerged, and Mia and Grace hurriedly scrambled off, brushing hair out of their faces.

I cleared my throat, causing the trio to finally notice me.

“Now that’s the kind of reunion I like to see,” I said with a chuckle.

“Shut it, pervert,” Mia shot back, patting down her tousled hair while Grace gave me a playful glare.

The girl at the bottom of the pile slowly looked up, her eyes wide with shock as our gazes locked.

It was Isabella. Sitting there, rumpled from the playful scuffle, her chestnut hair falling softly in waves, cheeks flushed. She looked nothing like the chubby, toothy little girl I remembered. Instead, her face was refined, her honey-brown eyes wide and curious, framed by thick lashes, and her lips parted slightly in surprise.

A silent exchange passed between us—a mix of astonishment and something unspoken.

She was breathtaking.

Recovering first, she scrambled to her feet, smoothing her hair and avoiding my gaze for a moment. Then, with a tentative smile, she spoke.

“Hey,” she said softly.

“Hey,” I replied, heart thudding.

“Long time,” she murmured.

“Too long,” I agreed, stepping forward with a warmth I hadn’t expected.

Behind us, the others gathered, their smiles and laughter fading into a gentle quiet as the old, complicated dance between us quietly began again.