Say You Don't Feel It

*Ava Wilder*
There are exactly three things I regret in my life.
One: downloading Tinder "ironically."
Two: dating a man who called emotional vulnerability "cringe."
Three: moving into Zane Monroe's apartment like it wasn't going to end in disaster.

Spoiler: it's already a disaster. He exists like a walking contradiction-silent, smirking, and somehow hotter in a hoodie than any man has the right to be.

And me? I'm just the ex-girlfriend of someone else. Trying to rebuild. Trying not to notice how Zane says my name like he's holding something back.

It's fine.
Totally.
Fine.
~~
*Zane Monroe*
I've made peace with being alone.

People think that sounds tragic. It doesn't. It sounds... quiet. Manageable. Like knowing exactly how much coffee to make in the morning because it's just for you.

Then Ava Wilder walked into my apartment like a hurricane in heels and press ons.

She talks too much. Leaves the cabinets open. Cries at dog commercials and then swears she's "fine."

I wasn't supposed to notice her.

But now I know how she takes her coffee. I know what song makes her stare out the window. I know the sound of her laugh at 2 a.m., and I'm starting to think I'd burn the world down to keep hearing it.

So yeah. I've made peace with being alone.
But she makes it feel a lot like losing.