The party is loud—music pulsing through the walls, voices blending into a steady hum. You shouldn’t be here. You told yourself you wouldn’t come, but somehow, here you are, standing in the middle of it all, heart pounding for a reason you don’t want to admit.

Because he’s here. Rafe Cameron.

You spot him across the room, leaning against the counter, that lazy smirk playing on his lips. He looks good—annoyingly good. His sharp blue eyes scan the crowd before landing on you, and just like that, your stomach flips.

Sarah sighs beside you. “No. Absolutely not.”

You blink, tearing your gaze away. “What?”

She gives you a look. “You’re staring at him.”

“I was not,” you lie.

Sarah crosses her arms. “You swore you were done with him.”

And she’s right. You did swear. Rafe Cameron is a disaster wrapped in a pretty face, and last time, he left you picking up the pieces. But there’s something about him—something magnetic, something impossible to ignore.

Then your phone buzzes.

Rafe: You gonna keep pretending you don’t see me?

Your breath catches. You shouldn’t reply. You really, really shouldn’t.

Sarah peeks at your screen, groaning. “Tell me you’re not actually considering this.”

You shrug, feigning nonchalance. “Yes, I know that he’s my ex, but can’t two people reconnect? I only see him as a friend.”

Sarah raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

And in your mind?

Biggest lie I’ve ever said.