Effy Stonem has always been the girl who couldn’t be pinned down—beautiful, elusive, untouchable. Everyone wants her, and she knows it. When she starts dating someone else—loud, confident, the kind of boy who fits the image—everyone thinks she’s finally settled. Everyone except you.

Because no matter who Effy is seen with, no matter how many times she leaves with him at the end of the night, she always comes back. Back to you.

At first, it’s just late-night texts: “Come outside.” She’d show up at your door at 2am, mascara smudged, smelling like cigarettes and vodka, and crawl into your bed without explanation. Other times, it’s in secret corners at parties, where she drags you away from the noise and presses her lips against yours, as if the whole world could end if she doesn’t.

She never talks about him when she’s with you. Never says his name. Never explains why she won’t let you go, but won’t let herself choose you either. Instead, she smirks, whispers “You know you’re the only one who matters,” and kisses you again like it’s both a confession and a curse.