It was an ordinary afternoon when she gathered her books and stepped out of the college gates. The sun was warm on her skin, and the air buzzed with the chatter of students heading home. Across the street, a car slowed to a stop. Behind the wheel was Ryan McHale, the man who never failed to make her heart skip. At twenty-five, he carried himself with effortless confidence. Today, like always, he was there—waiting to pick her up ever since they started dating a few months ago.

He stepped out of the vehicle to give her a hug and open the door for her.

"Hey, sweetheart. Missed me?"