24 roses. 24 days of devotion. 24 chances to make her mine. I’ve loved Anahi Pratt since the day she moved in next door. Before I knew what love was or understood true, selfish want. She was all knobby knees and braces—the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen—changing both our fates with one simple glance. But I was quiet. Careful. Did the only thing I could... I became her friend. Years passed, but those feelings never changed. Instead, they grew—turning into something all-consuming. And while I stayed on the sidelines, she never looked at me as something more. Not as a man who worships her. Not as the man who will burn the world for her. Then everything changed. A crash. A hospital room. Her life on the line—and my world came to a screeching halt. That was the moment I understood the truth: Tomorrow is a lie we tell ourselves. She’s always been mine, and I’m done waiting.