Elena’s POV

My phone rang.

I didn’t need to check the screen. My heart had already leaped, skipped, and nearly crashed into my ribs.

It’s him.

"Hey, you."

My breath caught. Hearing his voice again after days of silence did something to me something dangerous. I tried to hold on to my pride, but it was slipping through my fingers like water.

“Hi…” My voice came out way higher than intended, and I immediately cringed.

Ugh. Smooth, Elena. Real smooth.

A deep, amused chuckle rolled through the speaker. It was warm, rich, and far too unfair.

I could almost see the smirk on his face, the way his eyes probably...