After a devastating breakup two years ago, Autumn White, a 24-year-old secretary, has settled into life in Michigan, far, far away from her ex-boyfriend, James Blackwood. Though she's never fully gotten over him, Autumn is determined to move on, finding solace in her best friend and her cat, Poppy. But when she unexpectedly bumps into James at her best friend's wedding, the encounter is nothing short of awkward-neither of them know how to navigate the history between them. Autumn convinces herself that the awkwardness proves their relationship is truly over.
James, now a successful and wealthy businessman at 25, has spent the last two years trying to forget Autumn. He's engaged to a wealthy woman, Elizabeth Walton, and has buried his feelings under the weight of his father's business empire. But when he sees Autumn at the wedding, the old feelings resurface, leaving him torn between the life he's built and the woman he's never quite stopped loving.
Back in Michigan, Autumn's life is thrown into turmoil when she discovers that James' company is taking over the firm she works for, and that she's at risk of losing her job if she fails the upcoming performance review-conducted by none other than James himself. As she works tirelessly to impress him, their paths cross more often, forcing them to confront the unresolved issues of their past. Autumn must decide whether to open her heart to James again, or to finally let go of him for good.
As the review period progresses, old wounds are reopened, and James must confront the truth behind their breakup - the miscommunications, the mistakes, and the fear that has kept him from loving her again. But can they truly overcome their past and find a way forward, or are they doomed to repeat the same mistakes that tore them apart?
''There is only one thing crossing my mind right now. If he hates me so much, then why the hell is he kissing me back?''
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Emma White has always been kind of a loner. Her mother died giving birth to her and her father never really cared, always working in his successful company. That's why she decides to go to a college away from home, something she's been dreaming of since she can remember.
However, what happens when at her very first day on campus, she crosses path with Noah Allen? He is rich, popular, cold, rude and a player just to start with. No surprise she calls him Mr. Grumpy.
What is driving her insane though is that he's only too cold when it comes to her. After some not so pleasant moments and lots of glares, she tells herself that the best is to stay away from him, but it won't be that easy.
After a disastrous kiss and hidden jealousy, she finds herself deeply involved into what is this frustrating boy. Add to that the fact that he is her roommates' childhood best friend and you can see drama from miles away.
Noah claims to hate her ever since they met, and he doesn't mean her first day of college. He remembers her just fine from a couple of years ago and all the feelings are back. He knows she doesn't remember him and he'll use this as his leverage to do what he has to do. It's what he promised his father and himself, even if it means he has to pretend to care for her.
All he cares is his family business. At least it's what he tells himself, until the feelings start getting too mixed and he ends up thinking of her more than he should. Maybe it's not all about business after all.
He knows their history started before she even knows, what he didn't expect was for her to be so different from what he has always believed.