Chapter 1Ended Up Back In My Ex’s Bed

In college, I messed things up with one of the wealthiest girls on campus. Three years later, after a burst pipe in my apartment, I headed to crash at my buddy’s place and accidentally climbed into the wrong bed—hers. She gave me this cool, mocking smile.

“Oh? Thinking of rekindling old flames?”

Panicked, I tried to leave, but she pulled me back.

“What’s the rush? You’re here already.”

In my dream, I held someone warm, soft, and close, her smooth skin beneath my fingertips. The moment was thrilling, almost real—until a sharp pain shot through my ear. I snapped awake, finding myself face-to-face with those unforgettable eyes and a pair of soft lips moving as if in slow motion.

“Ethan Blake,” she drawled, “after all this time, you really choose this way to meet up? What, feeling nostalgic?”

I was so spooked I grabbed my ear back and jumped out of bed, face flushing.

Veronica Grant, my ex.

How did I end up in bed with her?

Her hair spilled across the pillow, and she was only wearing a thin silk tank top. She looked… stunning. I could barely get the words out.

“Wha—what are you doing here?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Funny, I was going to ask you the same thing.”

All I wanted to do was bolt, but just as I tried, she gripped my arm.

“What’s the rush? Here already, might as well stay.”

How did I not know I’d climbed into my ex’s bed? My apartment’s pipes had burst late at night, and I went to crash at Nate’s place, trying not to wake anyone. But apparently, I ended up in the wrong room.

The commotion woke up the house’s actual owner. Nate showed up in his pajamas, voice booming down the hall.

“Ronnie, it’s the middle of the night! What’s going on?”

When he saw me, his eyes went wide. “Dude, what are you doing here?”

I chuckled nervously. “Pipes burst at my place. Needed a last-minute spot to crash.”

Nate pulled me aside, shooting me a knowing look.

“She’s my cousin, man. You two… in the same bed?”

I wanted the earth to swallow me. Of all the people I wanted to avoid, Veronica was number one.

This girl I’d once cared about more than anyone else… we’d just never had the right timing.