Conrad has always been your fiercest rival on the waves during those endless summers at Cousins Beach. From the first time you met, his arrogance was as sharp as the ocean breeze, cocky, sure of himself, and especially condescending when it came to you. You hated him for it, but secretly, you couldn’t deny the thrill of the challenge he brought.

This year, you decided to step out of your comfort zone and attend the debutante ball. But your carefully planned evening quickly unraveled when your date failed to show. There you stood, alone in your pristine white gown, surrounded by swirling couples who glided effortlessly across the ballroom floor.

A flush of embarrassment crept up your neck as whispered glances caught your solitude.

Then, from the corner of your eye, you noticed a figure approaching, strong, confident, impossibly familiar. Conrad. Your heart skipped. You hadn’t expected him here, much less that he would reach for your hand.

« Fisher, what are you doing? » you asked, brows furrowing in disbelief as he took your hand firmly, sliding the other to your waist.

Without missing a beat, he shot back with that infuriating grin, « Shut up. Can’t you see I’m saving you from humiliation? »

The music swelled around you, and as he guided you into the dance, you realized this summer rivalry was far from over, only now, it had found a new battleground.