CRUSH

Amaya Moss likes to keep things simple-stick to her routine, avoid unnecessary attention, and keep her circle small. Change isn't her thing-especially with college looming and everyone expecting her to have a plan. The only constant she trusts is Rowan, her best friend since forever. He's loud where she's quiet, easygoing where she overthinks-but somehow, it works. It's always been just friendship... or at least, that's what she tells herself.

Rowan Hayes is the guy who knows exactly where he's going in life. With a soccer scholarship in hand and his future all mapped out, he's cruising through senior year with confidence. But things have started to shift-especially when it comes to his best friend, Amaya Moss. His feelings for her have been changing recently, and though he's always been the protective best friend, lately he's wondering if it's something more.

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He leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek. "You really are cute when you pretend to hate me, Mai."

Before I could respond, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch lingering. He was so close now, and the air between us felt charged, like we were on the edge of something unspoken. Then, without a word, he kissed me-soft, brief, but enough to leave me breathless.