Moving Into Nana’s

Chapter 1

Mia’s hands tightened around the steering wheel as she pulled up to her grandmother’s house—a cozy, two-story home with a wraparound porch and a garden that had always smelled like lavender. It had been years since she’d spent more than a weekend here, back when she was still the queen bee of her middle school, back when she’d been… meaner.

Now, thanks to her parents’ messy divorce and their sudden decision to "figure things out separately," she was stuck here for her entire junior year.

At least Grandma’s cooking is amazing, she thought, trying to find the silver lining as she parked and sighed.

The trunk of her car was stuffed with duffel bags and boxes, and she was just wrestling the first one out when a deep voice cut through the quiet street.

“Need a hand?”

Mia turned—and froze.

Standing there, arms crossed over a fitted t-shirt, was Sam.

But not the Sam she remembered.

The Sam from middle school had been soft around the edges, with round cheeks and a shy smile. This Sam? Tall. Lean. All muscle and sharp angles, his dark hair slightly tousled like he’d just come from a run. His smirk was the same, though—the one that used to make her roll her eyes. Now, it sent an unexpected flutter through her stomach.

“Oh. Uh. Hey,” she managed, suddenly hyper-aware of her messy bun and sweatpants.

Sam’s grin widened as he stepped forward and effortlessly lifted the heaviest box from her trunk. “Heard you were moving back. Figured you’d need help.”

Before she could respond, the screen door creaked open, and her grandmother appeared, wiping her hands on her apron. “Sam! Sweetheart, you didn’t have to come by.”

Mia blinked. Sweetheart?

Sam’s expression softened instantly. “Of course I did, Mrs. H. You know I can’t resist your cooking.” He shot Mia a sideways glance. “Plus, someone had to save Mia from carrying all this herself.”

Her grandmother laughed, patting his shoulder. “You always were such a good boy. Come inside after, I made peach cobbler.”

Mia’s jaw nearly dropped. Since when were they so close?

Sam chuckled, adjusting the box in his arms. “You know I can’t say no to that.”

As Mia grabbed another bag, she caught him watching her, his gaze unreadable.

“What?” she muttered.

He shrugged. “Just thinking. You’re different.”

“Yeah, well. People change.”

Sam hummed, like he didn’t quite believe her. “Guess we’ll see.”

And with that, he carried the box inside, leaving Mia standing there, wondering why that sounded like a challenge.