Luna had always considered herself a functional mess. She could juggle work deadlines, remember her mom's birthday, and even make it through a whole week without burning toast. But when it came to love? That was where she tripped, stumbled, and fell—usually face-first.
Tonight was no different. She sat cross-legged on her couch, her laptop precariously balanced on a throw pillow while her phone buzzed incessantly beside her. Her new boyfriend, Austin, had just sent her a photo of his impeccably plated dinner. "What are you up to?" he'd asked.
Luna smiled to herself. Austin was... perfect. The kind of guy her mom would love, her friends would approve of, and her dog—if she had one—would probably adore. Steady job, steady demeanor, and the steady kind of affection that didn't make her heart race in panic.
Still, there was something about him that felt too... tidy. Too safe.
Ignoring that nagging thought, Luna grabbed her phone and typed a response:
"Just thinking about you. Can't wait to see you tomorrow. Hope you're ready for a surprise ;)"
She hesitated, thumb hovering over the send button. Then, with a decisive tap, the message was on its way.
A moment later, her phone buzzed.
> Liam: Well, this is unexpected.
Luna frowned. That wasn't Austin's name. That wasn't Austin's name at all.
Her heart dropped as she opened the message thread. The first thing she saw was the contact name: Liam.
"Oh no," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the TV playing reruns of Friends.
Liam. As in her ex-boyfriend. As in the guy she hadn't spoken to in two years. As in the man who had been the best and worst thing to ever happen to her.
Panic set in.
> "What do you mean, unexpected?" Luna typed furiously, hoping to play it cool. Maybe he wouldn't figure out the text was meant for someone else. Maybe—
Her phone buzzed again.
> Liam: Are we doing surprises now? Because last I checked, you were the one who hated them.
She groaned, smacking her forehead with her palm. Of course he'd call her out. He always had a knack for catching her in lies—or, in this case, embarrassing situations.
> Luna: That wasn't meant for you.
Liam: Ouch. Harsh. So, who was it for?
She stared at the screen, debating whether to lie. It wouldn't be the first time she'd lied to Liam—not that it had ever worked out for her.
> Luna: None of your business.
Liam: Ah, I see. It's for Austin, isn't it? The new guy?
Her jaw dropped. How did he even know about Austin?
> Luna: Are you stalking me?
Liam: Relax. You're not that interesting. Emily told me about him. Guess she figured I should know you've upgraded.
Luna made a mental note to kill Zee the next time she saw her.
> Luna: It's not an upgrade. It's different.
Liam: Different how? Less chaotic? Less exciting?
There it was—that infuriating mix of cockiness and charm that had made her fall for him in the first place. And also the reason she'd walked away. Liam was chaos personified: unpredictable, messy, and utterly magnetic. He was everything Daniel wasn't.
> Luna: I'm not doing this with you.
She tossed her phone onto the couch, determined to ignore him. But two minutes later, the screen lit up again.
> Liam: Come on, Lu. Don't pretend you don't miss me at least a little. Admit it—you texted me on purpose.
She stared at the message, her chest tightening. She didn't miss him. Not really. Okay, maybe a little. But that didn't mean anything.
Right?
Before she could stop herself, she picked up the phone and typed a response.
> Luna: In your dreams, Liam.
Liam: Funny. Because you've been in mine.
Her stomach flipped. Damn him.
And just like that, Luna realized she was in trouble.