Maggie has always been the one holding her best friends, Ethan and Mia, together. For years she’s watched them circle their feelings, too afraid to risk the friendship that’s defined their lives. So when she organizes a camping trip to their favorite mountain trail, she hopes the fresh air and quiet nights will finally push them toward the truth.

Ethan is steady, dependable the one who always looks out for Mia but never quite says what he wants. Mia is the spark, bright and fearless in most things, except when it comes to risking her heart with the person who’s always been there. Maggie sees what they can’t, but even she can’t force them to take the leap.

Out in the wilderness, fleeting touches and long glances make the unspoken harder to ignore. Just when a confession feels close, something tears them apart again. Left watching from the sidelines, Maggie can only hope they’ll find the courage to face what’s been there all along.

Will Ethan and Mia risk everything for love, or let another sunrise pass in silence?

***

Their story is just one of many in Heartstrings of Lakeshore, where friendship slowly turns into forever love.

In the lakeside town of Lakeshore, love often begins where friendship lingers. The Heartstrings of Lakeshore series tells standalone stories of best friends discovering something deeper through shared laughter, missed chances, and the quiet moments that change everything.

From long-awaited confessions to homecomings that stir old feelings, each story captures the tenderness of realizing love has been there all along.

Sometimes forever isn’t found in faraway places it’s waiting right beside you.

The Child Between Us