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from his work at the garage. It was all man and a smell that had haunted me for as long as I could remember. I loved that smell.
    “I ENDED IT FOR YOU!” he shouted.
    “WELL, DON’T DO ME ANY FAVORS!” I spit back.
    “Have you always been this damn stubborn? Or do you just get a rush out of pissing me off?”
    I let out a snort of laughter and dramatically rolled my eyes. “Where the hell have you been? Of course I’ve always been this stubborn. You might have noticed if your head hadn’t been shoved up Charlotte’s ass for the past few months.”
    A slow grin spread across Jeremy’s lips, causing my stomach to drop. I didn’t know what was running through his head at that moment, but whatever it was—judging from that evil grin on his face—it wasn’t good.
    “Sounds like you’re a little jealous there… sugar .”
    That set my blood boiling. “ Pfft , please. I’m so not jealous.” Bullshit, who was I kidding? I was totally jealous.
    But there was no way I was going to let myself admit that to him. It wasn’t something I was necessarily proud of, but my pride stung a little at his accusation. I wasn’t saying it was the smartest decision, but when I felt backed into a corner, my claws had a tendency to come out.
    “What do I have to be jealous about? I was simply pointing out the fact that she’s been carrying your balls around in her little designer purses ever since you two started dating. That wasn’t jealousy, Jeremy. That was pity.”
    I wasn’t sure what reaction to expect from him, but the booming laughter filling up my living room certainly wasn’t it.
    “You’re a piece of work, Savvy. You know that? Why can’t you just admit that you still want me?”
    I stood up on the balls of my feet in an attempt to come off as more intimidating. “Because I don’t!”
    “Bullshit,” he responded calmly.
    “It’s not bullshit!”
    “You want me.”
    “Do not!”
    “Do too.”
    A torrent of different emotions was coursing through me. I didn’t know if I wanted to slap that smug smile off his face or kiss it off. By how my body was heating up at our exchange, I was leaning toward the latter.
    “Nu-uh!” When all else fails, resort to childishness.
    “That’s it.”
    My stomach dropped to my feet, and all the air rushed from my body. I was so certain that he meant he was leaving, so when he grabbed my arms and jerked me up, all I could do was let out a startled yelp before he plastered his lips to mine.
    It took a second for my brain to respond to what was happening, but once it did, I instantly melted into him. It felt like Jeremy was pouring every ounce of himself into that kiss, and I greedily took everything he had to give me. I’d wanted him for so long that I was completely desperate for him. I couldn’t stop myself. I needed him more than I needed air. Running my fingers through his hair, I grabbed it and held on for dear life. I was terrified of what would happen when the kiss ended.
    All too soon, he pulled away and stared into my eyes. Our breathing was erratic, and I could feel the quick rise and fall of his chest pressed against mine.
    We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity before I could finally summon the courage to speak. “What was that, Jeremy?” I asked so quietly that I thought he might not have heard me.
    He placed his forehead against mine, still not breaking eye contact. “That was what we’ve both needed to happen for a really long time, sugar.”
    He sounded so sure of himself that I could feel a piece of myself breaking inside.
    Several months ago, I’d stupidly let my emotions and hormones take control, and Jeremy and I ended up having sex for the first time since we had broken up all those years ago. It’d been absolutely perfect, but when I woke up the next morning, reality had come crashing back down, and the bad decisions I had made at nineteen had still been there. I knew there was no way we could be together, so even though it