Chapter One

It all started with tequila.

It wasn't one of those adorable little "shots with lime" scenarios either; we were already six shots in at Mia's apartment party, with music blaring through the walls and an odor that combined cheap perfume, sweat, and alcohol.

I couldn't help but notice how good Ryan looked tonight as he leaned against the kitchen counter and laughed at something one of our mutual friends said. His hair was somewhat messy, his jaw was shadowed by that faint stubble that always made me wonder how it would feel on my skin, and he wore a black T-shirt clinging to his shoulders.

We were the...