A week had passed since the beach house, but the way Jordan looked at Izzie hadn't changed. If anything, it had only intensified.

It was their first day back at school after the break, and the familiar chaos of campus buzzed around them-students hurrying to class, friends catching up, and the occasional sound of basketballs bouncing on the outdoor courts. But for Izzie, everything felt different.

Because now, when Jordan caught her eye across the quad, there was no hesitation. No more dancing around their feelings.

She adjusted the strap of her backpack as she made her way toward her next class, trying to ignore the way her stomach flipped when she felt Jordan's presence before she even saw him.

"Miss me?" His voice was smooth, teasing, as he fell into step beside her.

Izzie rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the smile tugging at her lips. "You saw me this morning, J."

"That was hours ago," he countered, nudging her playfully. "Felt like forever."

She shook her head, biting back a laugh. This was new-this easy affection, the subtle touches, the way they weren't hiding what had always been between them. It was exhilarating.

Jordan reached for her hand without a second thought, his fingers lacing through hers as they walked. And that was when Izzie noticed it-the way people were staring. Girls in particular.

She wasn't surprised. Jordan Baker had always been the center of attention. Star quarterback, charming, good-looking-girls had been throwing themselves at him since forever. And today was no different.

A group of girls standing near the steps of the library went silent as they walked by, eyes flickering between Izzie and Jordan, whispering amongst themselves. One of them, a tall girl with perfectly curled hair and way-too-short shorts for school dress code, called out, "Hey, Jordan. Haven't seen you around. You been ignoring my texts?"

Jordan barely glanced in her direction. "Yeah," he said casually, not even slowing his pace.

Izzie smirked. Damn right.

Another girl-a blonde cheerleader-caught his attention near the gym. "Jordan!" she called, flipping her hair as she jogged up to him, practically ignoring Izzie beside him. "You coming to the team party this weekend? We could catch up."

Jordan didn't even hesitate. "I'm good," he replied smoothly, his grip on Izzie's hand tightening slightly as if to make a point.

The blonde's eyes flickered to Izzie, like she was just now noticing her presence. She opened her mouth to say something else, but Jordan was already moving past her, completely uninterested.

By the time they reached the gym, Izzie was grinning. "Damn, Baker. You shut that down quick."

Jordan smirked. "What, you expected me to entertain them?"

She shrugged. "I mean... they're throwing themselves at you."

He stopped walking, pulling her in by the waist as his expression turned serious. "And I'm throwing myself at you."

Her heart skipped at that, but she kept her cool. "Oh, so you're saying I've got you wrapped around my finger?"

Jordan leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear. "You've had me wrapped around your finger since we were kids, Sanchez."

Izzie felt a rush of warmth spread through her, but before she could respond, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Well, well, well. Look who finally got their act together."

She turned to see Spencer smirking at them, arms crossed like he had been expecting this all along.

Jordan chuckled. "What? No 'about time' speech?"

"Nah," Spencer shrugged. "Figured you'd get there eventually." He nodded at Izzie, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "You got him ignoring all his fan club members already, huh?"

Izzie laughed. "Maybe just a little."

Jordan groaned. "Man, y'all are too much."

Spencer clapped him on the back. "Better get used to it. You two just became the new campus obsession."

Izzie exchanged a glance with Jordan, amusement flickering between them. She knew things were about to change-attention, speculation, maybe even judgment. But as Jordan pulled her closer, pressing a quick kiss to her temple in front of everyone, she realized she didn't care.

Because for the first time in a long time, she wasn't just Jordan Baker's best friend.

She was his. And he was hers.

And nothing else mattered.