The next day, the sun had barely started its descent when Lara stepped out of the building, adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder. The soft breeze tousled her hair as she walked across the school grounds, heading toward the parking lot where her car was parked.
Her mind was still in a daze from the long day of lectures. She was planning to head straight home and maybe decompress with some chamomile tea and a quiet playlist—until she caught sight of a familiar black SUV parked a few meters away. Leaning casually against the hood was Duke, arms crossed, one ankle lazily over the other, as if he had all the time in the world. And inside the car, popping gum and scrolling on her phone like she owned the world, was Ali.
Lara blinked, startled. “What the—?”
Duke spotted her instant
