You’d left the Chateau early that morning. Normally you weren’t one to voluntarily get up before noon if you could help it, but the guilt had been eating at you. You’d barely slept, replaying that night from weeks ago over and over in your mind. So you’d quietly slipped out of JJ’s bed, careful not to wake him.

You wandered the streets of the Outer Banks, iced coffee in hand, lost in your head. How did you know if you were in the right relationship? With the right person? You’d always thought that was something you just knew. You’d feel it in your bones. The idea of being torn between two people had always seemed to you like something out of a 00’s teen drama. Only now it wasn’t entertaining because you were in it, and it was a mess.

Sipping the last of your coffee with a deep sigh, you glance across the street and see the guy who had been occupying all your thoughts, Rafe. You freeze, replaying that night in your head again. The way his lips had felt on yours, the gasp that fell from your lips as he deepened the kiss.

wonder if he’s judging me like I am right now

You turn away, hoping he didn’t spot you. You didn’t turn away fast enough, because he’s stalking across the street and has grabbed your wrist, stopping you from running, like he’d known you would try to.

“Are you still with JJ?” His voice is demanding, his eyes darkening as he looks at your face.

“What?”

“It’s a yes or no question. Are you still with JJ or not?” His grip on your wrist tightens as he repeats the question. His eyes search yours, demanding answers that you can’t give him.

and if it all ended tomorrow, would I be the one on your mind?

“Yes! Yes I’m still with JJ” you admit, wanting to say more but not sure that it would be fair to any of you if you did.

“Glad to hear it” He drops your wrist and you find yourself already missing his touch.

“Glad to tell you” you snap back at him.

“See you around” He steps back from you, his eyes flashing with anger.

“Whatever”

I wish I could un-need ya