This was wrong—so wrong, in fact, disastrously wrong. You had made a promise. A very specific, very serious promise to your best friend Milagro Reyes: you would never mess around with her older brother.

And at the time? It had been laughable. You remembered the exact moment—Milagro, arms crossed, warning you with narrowed eyes, and you just grinned and swore on your life. Because please, it was Jaime. You’d known him since you were little. He was the annoying older brother who used to steal your snacks and tease you about your height.

There was no way anything was ever going to happen between you two.

…Except you were wrong. So, so wrong.

When Jaime returned after being away—taller, broader, voice deeper, smile more charming than it had any right to be—you noticed. Everyone noticed. And you told yourself it was nothing, just curiosity, just admiration.Then came the welcome-home party. A few drinks. A couple of lingering glances. One conversation that went on too long in the kitchen. And before you knew it, your back was pressed to his chest, lips on yours, his hands on your skin—and you were falling.

That first night? A mistake.
The second? Carelessness.
The third? That’s when the two of you sat down and made it official: friends with benefits, no feelings, no drama, no heartbreak.

It was supposed to be simple.

Secret meet-ups when Milagro wasn’t home. Late nights pretending to sleep over, only to sneak into Jaime’s room. Stolen kisses, heated touches, whispered moans that never meant anything… until they did.

Because now? Now it was all falling apart. You were falling.

And here you were, sitting in the Reyes living room with Milagro, chatting casually as Mrs. Reyes stirred a pot in the kitchen, all while your heart raced. Because you heard the front door open—and you knew that sound too well.

It was him.