A Yale Daily News assignment had somehow turned into climbing scaffolding in formalwear, jumping into the unknown with an umbrella overhead, and meeting Logan Huntzberger.

Somewhere along the way, you’d stopped being the reporter covering the Brigade and become one of the few outsiders they actually claimed as their own.

Even after the breakup.

Even after Thanksgiving.

You’d refused to take Logan back, no matter how many flowers, coffee deliveries, grand gestures, or shameless appearances outside your classes he’d attempted. You’d dated other people since. So had he.

It never seemed to matter.

Somehow, despite every promise that this time would be different, the two of you always found your way back to each other before inevitably pulling apart again.

Which made tonight… complicated.

The Brigade had taken over another sprawling family estate for the weekend. Strings of lights hung between old oak trees, a jazz band played somewhere beyond the gardens, and champagne flutes seemed to magically refill the second they were emptied. Everyone was dressed far nicer than the occasion required.

Business as usual.

“There’s our honorary member!”

Finn was already halfway across the lawn before you’d fully stepped out of the car, throwing an arm around your shoulders while Colin relieved you of the bottle you’d brought.

“I’d like everyone to note,” Colin announced, “Ace actually arrived before Logan.”

“You say that like it was coordinated.”

“It usually is.”

You rolled your eyes as they ushered you toward the bonfire at the center of the lawn. A crowd had gathered around Robert, who was being loudly encouraged to climb onto the roof for reasons no one seemed interested in explaining.

Normal, by Brigade standards.

“You made it.”

The familiar voice came from beside you.

Logan.

Hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, looking annoyingly relaxed, as though running into his ex at a party wasn’t the highlight of his evening.

“Ace.”

“Huntzberger.”

His grin widened.

“You know, most people just say hello.”

“I like keeping you humble.”

“I’ve accepted that’s impossible.”

He fell into step beside you anyway.

“I heard about the boyfriend.”

News traveled frighteningly fast among his friends.

“You usually do.”

“So…” He glanced over. “Is he here?”

“No.”

“Convenient.”

“For him or for you?”

“For me.”

He didn’t even hesitate.

You laughed despite yourself.

“Still subtle.”

“I tried subtle.” He shrugged. “Turns out it wasn’t really my thing.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

He accepted that with an easy nod.

“So…” he said after a beat, “any chance you’ve come to your senses since the last time I asked?”

“You ask every time.”

“And eventually statistics have to start working in my favor.”

Before you could answer, Finn appeared between the two of you with an exaggerated sigh.

“There you are. Honestly, if I leave you alone for five minutes, you immediately start flirting.”

“We’re not flirting,” you and Logan said at the exact same time.

Finn blinked.

“…Right.”

He wandered off, unconvinced.

Logan watched him go before looking back at you, that familiar crooked smile finding its way onto his face.

“You know, Ace…”

“What?”

“I think we’re getting predictable.”