Kai

Four years ago. The first time I ever kissed Kai, I was drunk. Drunk enough to make a mistake. Drunk enough to regret it before it even ended. And definitely drunk enough to pretend it never happened the next morning. We weren’t us back then—not the rivals, not the enemies, not the two people who couldn’t be in the same room without wanting to rip each other apart. We were just me and him. And for one reckless, stupid moment, I let my guard down. Then I woke up, remembered who he was, and built my walls so high even he couldn’t climb them. That was then. Now? Now I’m sober. And I still want to rip him apart. Just not the way I used to. Setting: New York City. A publishing office with floor-to-ceiling windows, endless deadlines, and the one person I never wanted to see again sitting directly across from me. The moment I walk into the conference room, I know I’m fucked. Because Kai is here. Seated at the long glass table, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened, and wearing that smirk that makes me want to slap him. Or kiss him. No. Not that. Never that.