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336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 1, 2026
« Ben Bradley is not my childhood boyfriend. He's the boy who taught me that love is something you have to earn. And it's why I don't trust him. »
« Now everything is tilting sideways because Ben Bradley popped back up in my life like the devil in cuff links threatening every ounce of emotional stability I thought I had left. »
« I can't afford to forget why I'm here. And I definitely can't afford to fall for the boy I used to know. »
« He spins me again, and for a moment, it's like we were made for this, like that older couple with years of practice, and suddenly all the emotions I buried years ago come rushing back with a single, undeniable thought—I'm still in love with him.
Gazing into his blue eyes, I see the boy who made me feel safe.
Wanted. Worthy. And now he's here, making me feel all of it again.
His fingers skim my waist as we sway, his eyes searching mine like he's fighting a war I don't understand. »
« And I can't leave. Not now. Not when the collateral damage has a name, beautiful brown eyes, and a smile that could either jumpstart a heart... or crush it. »
« Not in a million years would I have expected to find her here—older, sharper, still full of fire. And I definitely didn't expect to feel seventeen again just from the way she looked at me. Like she was remembering too. »
« I need to stay away from her. Spend as little time as possible around her. One for her safety, two for my safety, and three because, apparently, I have a death wish and think flirting with someone who could expose me with one wrong word is a great idea. »
« And maybe, just maybe, I'll figure out a way to get Cybil back in my arms without risking her life or mine. »
« I don't know which is worse-her having no clue the danger she's in, or me pretending I'm not already halfway in love with her and willing to risk everything to protect her. »
« —My apologies, she tripped on her dress.
—You stepped on my dress.
—Semantics. »
« —Why Craig?
—What?
—Why use the name Craig Miller?
—It's a forgettable name for a forgettable guy.
—Really? All these years and you're using the name of my high school ex-boyfriend. Seems like the only one who hasn't forgotten about him is you. Let me check the hallway. Make sure no one sees you walking out of the women's restroom.
—Cybil. You were way too good for Craig Miller.
—Still am. »
« —Good night, Mr. Miller.
—Good night, Billy.
He says it just low enough to float across the hall before his door clicks shut. Three words. A stupid nickname. And just like that, I know—Bennett Bradley is going to make this job very, very complicated. »
« —Why are you so determined to prove you know me?
—Why are you so determined to prove I don’t? »
« —You shot me.
—He was going to shoot you first, I just... sped up the timeline.
—So you did it to save me?
—Absolutely.
—Seems like you enjoyed it.
—I’m not saying I didn’t.
—What are you saying, Billy?
—That it gave me immense satisfaction to shoot Craig. Freaking. Miller. »