I loathe Micah Reed. Yet, I can’t keep my eyes off him. Years ago, he opened his mouth in a room full of our peers. Said nine words and ruined my life. My high school crush did exactly that… crushed me. But I am no longer the quiet, loner girl from high school. The girl who let others trample her spirit. Now, I take charge. Stand tall. Bend to no one. Never again. Especially Micah Reed. Peyton Alexander makes me question my sanity. Yet, I refuse to stop antagonizing her. Since her first day at work, she has given me the death glare. Lipped off and verbally slapped me. And every night, I go back for another round. Not sure what I did to deserve her animosity, but I plan to find out. Plan to fix whatever mistake I made. Although I live for her banter, I want more with Peyton. The attention she gives other men, I want it for myself. Call me presumptuous, but Peyton Alexander will be mine. Micah wants me because I don’t fall for his charms. Peyton resists to deny herself the truth. Will he figure out who I am? Will she ever let me in?

One word can hold tremendous power. One word can change everything. I never imagined it would come to this. That I would fall for Micah Reed. That I would open my heart once more. And get it crushed. Again. The moment I let him in, the second our relationship evolved, fate threw an epic curve ball. One we can’t ignore. One I don’t know I can endure. But call me a glutton for punishment. One word stole my breath. One word had my knees ready to buckle. I refuse to believe anything without proof. Refuse to let someone ruin my life. Call me a d-bag, I don’t care. Deep down, I know the truth. Now, if only Peyton would believe it, too. My relationship with Peyton is headed in the right direction. Her fire is no longer fueled by hate. Now, I know the taste of her lips. The softness of her skin. The warmth of her touch. And no one will steal her from me. No one. I fell for Micah Reed. I fell for Peyton Alexander. Was it all for nothing? Will she abandon me when I need her most?