The rain starts the second your last class ends.

Perfect.

Students rush through the university courtyard, pulling hoodies over their heads while thunder rumbles somewhere above the city skyline. You tighten your grip on your bag and hurry down the library steps—

Then stop immediately.

Because leaning against your car like he belongs there is Lucas Reyes.

Of course it’s him.

Black varsity jacket. Damp dark hair falling into his eyes. One hand shoved into his pocket while the other lazily spins your car keys around his finger.

Your keys.

“You’re kidding,” you mutter.

Lucas smirks without looking up. “Nice greeting, princess.”

You walk faster toward him. “Give me my keys.”

“Mm.” He glances at the sky. “Think I just saved your life actually.”

“Oh my God.”

“You left your window cracked open.” He tosses the keys once before catching them again. “You’re welcome.”

You stop right in front of him, rain dripping from your sleeves.

Lucas smells faintly like smoke and expensive cologne and somehow that annoys you more.

“You broke into my car?”

“I prefer the term rescued.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“And yet here you are.”

Your jaw tightens.

Everyone on campus knows Lucas Reyes. Captain of the basketball team. Chronic troublemaker. The guy professors complain about while secretly giving him extensions anyway.

And unfortunately—

The same guy you’ve spent the last six months pretending not to think about.

“You know,” he says casually, “most people say thank you when someone helps them.”

“Most people don’t steal car keys to get attention.”

That earns a real laugh from him.

Low. Amused.

Dangerous.

Rain pours harder around you now, students disappearing toward the dorm buildings while the two of you remain underneath the flickering parking lot lights.

Lucas pushes himself off the car slowly.

Too slowly.

“You really think I need tricks to get your attention?” he asks.

Your heartbeat stumbles once.

Because now he’s close.

Way too close.

“I think you enjoy annoying me,” you reply.

“True.”

“Glad we agree.”

“But that’s not the reason.”

The air suddenly feels heavier.

You hate how easy it is for him to do that. One second joking around, the next looking at you like he’s seeing straight through every thought in your head.

You cross your arms tightly. “Then what is the reason?”

Lucas studies your face for a second before answering.

“Because every time you’re around me, you look like you’re trying not to.”

“Not to what?”

His eyes flick briefly toward your lips.

Then back up.

“Bad idea.”

Your stomach twists instantly.

God.

You should leave.

You know you should.

Instead you stay frozen there while rain crashes against the pavement around you.

Lucas notices everything. The way your breathing changes. The way your fingers tighten around your bag strap. The way you stop arguing whenever he looks at you too long.

“You’re staring again,” he murmurs.

“I’m literally not.”

“You literally are.”

Heat crawls up your neck.

You try grabbing your keys from his hand, but Lucas lifts them higher effortlessly.

“Lucas.”

“Say please.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re cute when you’re mad.”

You glare at him harder.

He grins.

Then lightning flashes across the parking lot, followed by a loud crack of thunder that makes you flinch slightly before you can stop yourself.

Lucas notices immediately.

His expression softens for the first time all day.

“You hate storms?” he asks quietly.

“No.”

“You jumped.”

“I did not.”

“You did.”

Another rumble echoes overhead.

This time Lucas steps closer before you can react, one hand resting lightly against the roof of the car beside your head.

Not touching you.

Almost worse.

Rainwater slides down the sleeve of his jacket while his eyes stay locked on yours.

“You know what your problem is?” he says softly.

You exhale shakily. “Apparently everyone likes telling me my problems today.”

“You keep pretending you don’t want things.”

Your throat tightens.

“And what exactly do I want?” you ask.

Lucas leans down slightly, voice low enough that it nearly disappears beneath the storm.

“Me.”

Your pulse absolutely betrays you.

Because the worst part—

The absolute worst part—

Is how confident he sounds saying it.

Like he already knows.

Like he’s been waiting for you to figure it out too.

“You’re so full of yourself,” you whisper.

“And you still haven’t walked away.”

You open your mouth to answer—

When suddenly someone shouts your name from across the parking lot.

Both of you turn.

Your ex stands near the campus gate, soaked from the rain, staring directly at Lucas with obvious anger written across his face.

Wonderful.

Lucas sighs under his breath. “Seriously?”

Your phone buzzes immediately afterward.

A text from your ex.

We need to talk. Alone.

Cold unease settles in your stomach.

Lucas reads your expression instantly.

Then his jaw hardens.

“You’re not going with him,” he says flatly.

You look back at your ex standing across the lot.

Then at Lucas still blocking the space between you and the car.

Thunder crashes again overhead.

And somehow the storm suddenly feels like the least dangerous thing happening tonight.