Rain lashed against the living room window, a chaotic drumbeat that matched the frantic rhythm in Zoe’s chest. She was curled on the sofa, twenty three and feeling like a teenager again, when the knock came, three sharp, urgent raps.
It was nearly midnight.
She knew it was him. She always knew.
Opening the door, the storm rushed in, carrying Jake with it. He was soaked, his dark hair plastered to his forehead, his t-shirt clinging to the hard lines of his chest. Water dripped from his chin. He just stood there, breathing hard, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that stole the air from her lungs.
“Jake? What’s wrong?”
“I can’t do it anymore.” His voice was raw, stripped bare. “I drove over here in a f*****g monsoon because I can’t spend one more night pretending you’re just my fri
