It happened on a Wednesday afternoon, the kind of day where nothing felt real because you hadn’t slept enough and everything at school made you want to scream.

You were sitting cross‑legged on your bed, phone in hand, rant‑typing to your best friend about the one person who had been living rent‑free in your head all week — even though he absolutely didn’t deserve it.

You typed fast, not thinking, just venting:

I can’t stop thinking about Rafe. It’s ridiculous. He drives me insane and I still think about him constantly. I hate how attractive he is.

You hit send. And only after the little “delivered” appeared did you realize you hadn’t sent it to your best friend.

You had sent it to Rafe Cameron.

You froze. Breathing? Optional. Survival? Unlikely.

You stared at the screen as if time might reverse itself out of pity. It didn’t.

Three dots appeared.

You wanted the earth to swallow you whole.

Rafe

Infuriating and attractive? You sure know how to flatter a guy.

Your soul left your body.

You scrambled violently for a reply, typing and deleting a dozen excuses before settling on the worst one possible:

You

That wasn’t meant for you.

A beat. Then:

Rafe

And yet… here we are.

You squeezed your eyes shut. You could practically hear his smirk through the text.

You

Just forget about it. I was tired and rambling.

Rafe

You were honest. That’s the part I liked.

You sat there, cheeks burning, unable to form a sentence.

Rafe

Don’t tell me you’re getting shy now?

You

I’m not shy. I’m mortified.

Rafe

Cute difference.

You forced your fingers to type.

You

You’re way too confident for your own good.

Rafe

And you’re terrible at pretending you don’t want me.

The dots blinked, then disappeared, then blinked again.

Rafe

Tell me I’m wrong sweetheart.

You froze. Every instinct screamed at you to deny it, deflect it, run. But you didn’t.

Rafe

I’m not trying to embarrass you. I just want to see what you do when it isn’t a secret anymore.

Your heart raced. He had you exactly where he wanted — and, for the first time, you weren’t sure you wanted out.