Chapter Two — The Rebound

Zack and Jenna are drawn by invisible strings of desire and deep love, neither of them understood.

Photo by Tobe Mokolo on Unsplash

Jenna had never been good at pretending, but she had perfected the art of avoidance. In the days since Zack had kissed her—since his mouth had moved against hers with an intensity that both thrilled and terrified—she had thrown herself into everything except him. Extra hours at the studio. Endless coffee dates with her best friend, Maddie. Volunteering to help with the community fundraiser even though she hated small talk. Anything to keep her from replaying that moment when her resolve cracked and she let herself want him.

But avoidance only works if the other person plays along. And Zack Carver never played along.

She first realized he wasn’t going to let her retreat into silence when he showed up at her studio on Tuesday evening, leaning in the doorway with that half-smile that said he already knew how flustered he made her.

“You’ve been busy,” he said casually, his eyes scanning the paint-smeared canvases stacked against the wall.

“Some of us actually work for a living,” Jenna replied, hoping sarcasm would mask the flutter in her chest.