Growing up, you had spent summers in the Outer Banks. As soon as school ended for the year, your parents put you on a plane and you came to stay with your grandmother. Those were your favourite days, long days spent swimming and turning a golden brown from the sun. So when your grandma had gotten sick, it had only made sense to you to move down there and be with her.

There had been one other person that it made the decision easy. The last summer you’d spent there, on your last night, you’d met a boy. The two of you had spent one night on the beach together, and when the sun came up you’d reluctantly said goodbye. You’d made no promises, hadn’t even exchanged names, thinking it was easier that way. After all, you had no real plans to return.

Now that you were back, you’d found yourself searching for him everywhere you went. But so far, your search had been fruitless. It almost felt like he was a figment of your imagination. You’d met a new boy a few days ago, Topper, and he’d been charming enough that you’d agreed to go to a party with him.

Even with Topper’s arm loosely draped across your shoulder, you found yourself searching the faces of the partygoers, looking for him. Topper was pulling you through the crowd now, wanting to show you off to his friends. The two of you approached the group, and you felt a flicker of excitement as your eyes landed on the one person you’d been hoping to see.

“You” you murmured softly, almost like you couldn’t believe that he was standing in front of you. That he was real.

“You know Rafe?”Topper asks, his arm around your shoulder tightening, a confused expression on his face.

Rafe takes in Topper’s hand resting possessively on you, his jaw clenching. He hadn’t thought he’d ever see you again, and here you were. With his friend. When you were supposed to be his. His girl. He’d spent nights up after you’d left, letting himself imagine what it would be like if he ever saw you again. Never had he thought it would be like this.

“No. She doesn’t” Rafe says, his voice cold. You search his face for any hint that he recognizes you. Was it actually possible that he didn’t remember you? Had that night not meant anything to him?