Chapter 1

After I picked up my bag, I turned around and walked out.

At the doorway, I was about to finish the last sip of my beer when a hand suddenly reached over. My stepsister, Zoe Cruz, downed it in one gulp and let out a satisfied sigh in my direction.

"God, that hits the spot!"

My boyfriend, Luke Nash, was so pissed that he lifted her up, threw her over his shoulder, and smacked her hard on the butt.

"You just won't listen, huh? I'm definitely teaching you a lesson today!"

Flushed with embarrassment and anger, Zoe clutched her skirt and screamed at me, "Mia, keep your boyfriend in check!"

Without even sparing me a glance, Luke tossed Zoe into the back seat of his car. He climbed in right after her and locked the doors.

"Mia, take a taxi home yourself. I need to teach a certain unruly little wildcat a lesson first."

Furious, Zoe pinched him hard. "Who are you calling a wildcat?"

She sank her teeth into Luke's neck, threatening him in a muffled voice, "I'll show you that even wildcats have claws."

Luke let out a low chuckle and instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist. When he saw me still standing there, he frowned.

"What are you still doing here? Get a taxi yourself. Don't worry about Zoe. Once she settles down, I'll take her home."

With that, he rolled up the car window right in front of me.

I stood there quietly for two seconds, then turned around and walked away fast.

A sleek, discreet black car was parked by the curb, and its window rolled down to reveal Grayson Monroe's perpetually cold face.

"Get in," he said.

I pulled the car door open and climbed into the passenger seat, staring out the window.

Grayson started the car. "This is the 12th time I've had to come to pick you up."

From the day I introduced Zoe to Luke, I had been left behind 12 times in half a year.

The first time, it was pouring rain. Zoe said she had period cramps and needed to lie down. I told Luke I'd sit in the passenger seat, but the moment I got out, the car shot off.

I stood in the downpour for three minutes before Luke texted me.

"Zoe's really not feeling well, so I'm taking her home first. You're strong and healthy, so you can tough it out."

The second time was on our anniversary. I'd booked a reservation at a restaurant, and Luke promised he was on his way, but I ended up waiting alone for four hours.

Later, I saw Zoe's Instagram post.

"Such a fuss over nothing. It's just a tiny cut from a knife, but he insisted on taking me to the hospital."

The third time, we were halfway through a movie date when Zoe texted Luke saying her relationship was over. He abandoned me in the theater instantly, driving like a madman through the city at 110 miles per hour.

Not long after, Zoe posted on Instagram saying she had broken up with her boyfriend.

The 11th time, I went to the restroom at a highway rest stop and came out to find the parking space empty.

I made over 30 calls, but no one answered. I thought they'd been in an accident, so I called the police.

When the police brought me back, Zoe and Luke were doubled over laughing.

"Just look at her. I told you she'd be scared out of her wits."

The neon lights outside the car flickered.

Suddenly, I said, "Let's get married."

Grayson slammed on the brakes.

After a long while, he said huskily, "I'll come pick you up next Monday."