The Next Line ( The Lineage Series #2)

Aurora

The smell of garlic and fresh herbs pulls me from my sleep.

I blink against the soft morning light, stretching lazily before realizing—
wait, it's not even noon yet.

This house is still a maze of unopened boxes and half-decorated rooms, and yet, someone is already downstairs cooking like we're hosting Thanksgiving dinner.

I slip out of bed, pull my hair into a messy bun, and pad downstairs, the warmth of the kitchen growing stronger with every step.

And when I round the corner, there they are.

Mom is standing by the island, sipping tea and chatting casually with Eduardo, our personal chef.

The counters are covered with fresh ingredients. There's homemade pasta laid out to dry, sauces simmering on the stove, fresh bread baking in the oven, and what looks like the start of a chocolate tart resting on the cooling rack.

"Okay..." I say, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "Who are we feeding? The United Nations?"

Mom looks up, her face lighting up with that warm, familiar smile that always makes me feel like I'm five years old again.

"Good morning, sweetheart," she says, setting her tea down. "Or should I say afternoon?"

I glance at the clock. "Barely."

Eduardo chuckles as he chops herbs. "Big dinner tonight, Miss Sinclair."

I raise a brow and lean against the counter. "Yeah, I figured. But for who?"

Mom and Eduardo exchange a glance like I've walked right into their little secret.

I narrow my eyes. "Mom. Spill."

She sighs dramatically, but there's an amused twinkle in her eye.

"The Carvalhos," she finally says.

I nearly choke on air. "Wait—Joshuan's family?"

She nods like it's the most normal thing in the world. "Of course. It's been years since we all sat down for a proper meal. With the move back to New York, it's only fitting."

I blink. "Right... but why now?"

Mom shrugs softly, picking up a wooden spoon to stir one of the sauces. "Because we've been close since before you were born. Your father and Luis have worked together for years and need set some things for the company in Manhattan. Besides, Luz and I... well, you know how much we adore each other."

I lean against the counter, processing.

Yeah. It's true. Our families have always been close. Business partners. Family friends. Vacations together when we were kids. Holidays. Countless afternoons running back and forth between houses.

But that was before.

Before New York felt so small.

Before I realized ignoring Joshuan is just fuel for his ego.

And now we're having dinner together?

At my house?

"Cool," I mumble. "Totally normal. Just a casual, no-big-deal dinner with the guy who lives to get under my skin."

Mom gives me a look. "Aurora."

"What?"

"You're being dramatic."

"I'm not."

She raises a brow.

"Okay, maybe a little," I admit, grabbing a piece of bread from the counter and popping it into my mouth.