Page 1 of Connor

Prologue

Summer

I shouldn’t be here.

I knew it before I slid behind the wheel, before my fingers clenched too tightly around it, before the streetlights blurred past in streaks of regret. My pulse pounded a steady don’t do this, don’t do this, don’t do this—but I never turned around.

Not even when I parked. Not even when I sat in my car, staring at Connor’s front door, heart hammering.

The vibration in my lap made me jump.

Victor:We’re leaving early tomorrow. Don’t stay out too late.

My throat went tight. I stared at the words like I could rewrite them, then swiped the notification away. I was a shitty sister. Vic had no idea where I was. No idea who I was about to see. And still, I got out.

The night was thick and humid, heat clinging to my skin as I crossed the pavement, climbed the stairs, and stopped in front ofhisdoor. My breath was uneven. My nerves crackled under my skin.

I knocked. Sharp. Insistent.

The door swung open. Connor McIntyre leaned against the frame, wearing just a pair of gray sweatpants, shirtless and sweat-slicked, blond hair a tousled mess.My stomach twisted. I should’ve left. I should have turned around before I saw something I couldn’t unsee.

But I didn’t.

Connor’s green eyes flicked over me, his brow creasing. “Summer?” His voice was rough—sleep-laced, whiskey-soaked. Maybe both.

I swallowed hard. “Connor, I—” The words tangled in my throat. “Please let me in.”

A pause. His lips moved, like he might say yes. Then he pressed them together and shook his head. “No. I can’t do this tonight, Summer.”

He started to close the door.

“Why?” I blurted. My voice was sharp. “Is someone else here?”

It wouldn’t be the first time. This—whatever the fuck it was—was just sex.

His eyes darkened. For a second, I thought he’d deny it. But he didn’t. Somehow, that was worse.

Panic flared. I moved without thinking, pressing my hand flat against the door as he tried to shut it again.

“Connor, please.” My voice cracked. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

His gaze locked onto mine, something flickering beneath the surface. He saw too much—he always did. But fuck, this thing between us had lasted a year, and the thought of leaving, of leaving him, left me in knots.

“What the hell are you doing here, Summer?” His voice was rough.

I swallowed. “I don’t know.”

He dragged a hand through his messy blond waves, shaking his head. “You always do this,” he muttered. “Why do you make this harder for yourself, baby?”

His words hit me with all the force of a slap. The endearment… what he was saying. One part of me was addicted to hearing him call me by a nickname, the other part furious that he wasn’t fighting for me. For us.

It’s just sex,I reminded myself.

“Do what?” I snapped.

“Show up when you shouldn’t.” His green eyes burned into mine. “We agreed this wouldn’t happen again.”

I opened my mouth. Closed it.

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