Jace Donovan couldn’t shake the feeling.

The feeling that something was off.

That girl—Everleigh—she was messing with his head.

He had spent the rest of the day feeling unsettled, his mind replaying the encounter over and over. The way she had looked at him, the way she had lied when she said they didn’t know each other.

Because it was a lie.

He knew it. He just didn’t know why.

Why she felt so familiar. Why being near her made something in his chest tighten.

Why the hell he dreamed of her that night.

Flash.

The oak tree again. Fireflies flickering in the dusk. A tiny girl with tangled brown hair laughing, stuffing a gummy bear in his mouth.

"You’re gonna marry me one day, Jace!"

Flash.

Jace snapped awake, his heart pounding. His room was dark, the only sound was his own uneven breathing.

"What the hell," he muttered, pressing a hand to his temple.

Everleigh.

Why was it always her?

He didn’t believe in coincidences, but this was getting ridiculous.

And for the first time, Jace had a terrifying thought.

What if he had forgotten something important?

The Next Day

Everleigh leaned casually against her locker, watching Jace from across the hallway.

She could tell he was bothered.

Good.

He deserved it.

She had spent years waiting, years hurting, only for him to come back and act like she was nothing.

Well, if Jace Donovan wanted to pretend he didn’t know her, then she was going to make his life a living hell.

“Still stalking him, I see,” a voice teased beside her.

Everleigh rolled her eyes, glancing at her best friend, Sadie. "Not stalking. Just… studying my next move."

Sadie smirked. “Uh-huh. Sure. Looks like you're studying his arms.”

Everleigh scowled, smacking Sadie’s arm. "Shut up."

She was not checking him out. Absolutely not.

Even if he did look annoyingly good in that black hoodie. Even if his jaw clenched in that stupidly attractive way whenever he was frustrated.

She hated him.

Right?

Sadie wiggled her brows. "So, what’s the plan, oh great revenge queen?"

Everleigh’s lips curled into a slow, wicked smile. "Easy. I’m going to make Jace fall for me."

Sadie blinked. "Wait—what?"

Everleigh crossed her arms, her eyes glinting with mischief. "He doesn’t remember me. Fine. But I’ll make him want me. Make him need me."

Her fingers trailed along the lock of her locker as she smirked.

"And then? I’ll break his heart."