This is a first draft. MAYBE ONE DAY will be published in paperback and ebook on April 11, 2023. You can purchase your copy through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and other major book retailers. Link in my author bio.

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        "NOW REMEMBER," MY BEST FRIEND, Amelia, said over the loudspeaker. "Jace lives on the third floor, right beside the elevator. I don't know who approved the design. I mean, you'd think he lived in a cupboard, not a complex." Her singsong voice was light and airy, but I could hardly focus on her words. "The first time I went to visit him, I walked straight past his apartment, so don't forget—"

        "You've told me this, like, a billion times," I pointed out. I slowed my Volkswagen down and hung a sharp left, managing to catch my phone before it slid out of my lap. "I think I've got it."

        "God, Hayles, who peed in your Wheaties this morning?" she jested. "As if you're not rejoicing right now. You've been wanting to leave this place forever."

        That was true.

        I'd been desperate to leave Fowler's Hill ever since I was sixteen, and it wasn't because there was anything wrong with where I'd grown up. It was a picturesque and secluded little town with a tight-knit community; the mainstay of my near-perfect childhood.

        It had more to do with the fact that Fowler's Hill's population was a staggering two hundred, give or take. In such a small town, there was nowhere to hide after tragedy struck my family. No way to forget. For the last two years, living there had been a constant reminder of what I'd had to endure, and I knew it even wore thin on my parents occasionally.

        "I am," I eventually relented, crawling to a stop at another intersection. I sat forward and drummed my fingers on the dash anxiously. "I'm just tired. My mattress in the dorm was like sleeping on tissue paper, and you know how much I hate driving in unfamiliar places."

        Despite the fact that over a hundred miles stretched between us now, I could practically see Amelia roll her eyes. "Do I." She laughed. "I'm still scarred from that road trip with my..." The line went quiet, and I cringed, anticipating that the conversation was about to shift into dangerous territory. "Wait. This doesn't have anything to do with you being about to see my brother again, does it?"

        My insides churned at the very thought.

        Of course it did.

        Jace Hammond had featured in every one of my girlish fantasies for as long as I could remember, even though I was certain that he only thought of me as an honorary sibling. It had been almost a year since I'd last seen him, and my face still heated from the memory. He'd come home to visit the summer before my senior year, and at one of his parties, I'd completely embarrassed myself. Better yet, Jace's ex-girlfriend, Zoe, had shown up unexpectedly. 

        To be honest, most of that night was fuzzy. I'd been persuaded to drink by Amelia, and stupidly, I had tried to keep up with her. At least she was able to tolerate her alcohol and not act like a complete spaz. The same couldn't be said for me.

        So, before I'd been hunched over the toilet upstairs, Jace kneeling beside me dutifully, my vision blurring, I might have blurted something about having a teeny-tiny crush on him. I'll never forget the baffled look he'd given me, like I was speaking in riddles. And then, forgoing what I'm sure would have been his flat-out rejection, I'd proceeded to empty the entire contents of my stomach.

        Suffice to say, I'd made a valiant effort to avoid him ever since that night.

        And now I was less than five minutes away from his apartment.

        Son of a biscuit.

        "No," I lied, thankful that my voice didn't waver. "Why would it? It doesn't mean anything. He's only helping me out because you asked him to."

        "Okaaaay." Amelia drew out the word over the phone, clearly unconvinced. "I know I sort of pushed the idea of meeting up with him before classes, but I just thought it might take the pressure off of you. At least you already know somebody who goes to UGA, right?"

        "Right," I agreed. I was truly grateful that I had someone at the University of Georgia, but there was no denying that I felt way more intimidated by the idea of having to see Jace again than the prospect of befriending another bewildered freshman. "I just wish you'd come with me."

        "Me?" she echoed incredulously. "You know I'm totally leaving the college thing to you and Jace."

        "And on that note." I exhaled, clutching the steering wheel firmly, almost like my existence was contingent on it. "I'm pulling into his complex now."

        "Well, be sure to say hi to him for me, seeing as he barely replies to my texts these days," Amelia grumbled. "Oh and tell him I'll kick his ass to the curb if he doesn't at least walk you to your first class this morning."

        An icy ball of fear formed in the pit of my stomach at the mere thought of promenading through the campus with Jace. I swallowed. "Will do."

        "Hayles, listen, you're in college now. You've finally got what you've wanted. You can move on and reinvent yourself. Don't let anyone detract from that, not even my jerk of a brother, okay?" she said softly.

        "Thanks, Millie," I whispered. "This is exactly why I need you here. You always know what to say."

        "I know," she quipped. "Now go. The sooner you get it over with, the easier it'll be."

        Before I could argue, the line went dead. She'd hung up on me. I inhaled a shallow breath, feeling like my lifeline had just been severed.

        Once I'd snatched a parking spot within close walking distance to the entrance of the complex, I cut the engine. Locking my phone and slipping it into my bag, I noticed that my hands were shaking. 

        I was about to come face to face with Jace for the first time since I'd come clean about the enormous crush on him that I'd harbored for the last five years.

        I needed to get my shit together. Like, urgently.

        Fighting a rabble of butterflies, I got out of my car and tried not to overthink what was about to happen. With a stroke of luck, he hadn't even retained a word I'd said that night.

        Yeah, there was no fucking way.

        He hadn't sought me out in nearly a year for a reason. Before I'd opened my big, good-for-nothing mouth, Jace and I had actually been friends. That was the worst part.

        I sweltered as I made my way across the parking lot, the concrete pavement red-hot and threatening to burn through the soles of my Converses. When the automatic sliding doors unsealed and I walked into the apartment complex, I almost cheered as the cool, air-conditioned breeze rolled over me.

        But that feeling was short-lived.

        As soon as I stepped into the empty elevator and pressed the button for the third floor on the panel, dread began gnawing at my belly again. The closer I got to Jace's floor, the more nauseous I felt—a mixture of nervous energy and motion sickness.

        Heeding Amelia's advice, I made sure that when I got off at the third floor, I didn't just walk straight past his apartment. I noticed it—only because I knew where to look—tucked away in the corner of the corridor, partially obscured by a half-wall at the exit of the elevator.

        As I knocked softly on his door, a lump crawled into my throat. I pushed my long, dark hair back from my face and squared my shoulders.

        I could totally do this.

        Nothing to freak out about. Nope.

        But when the door to Jace's apartment opened, my heart faltered for a moment.

        Standing there in an oversized T-shirt was a girl who could make me feel like I'd fallen out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down, and that was being generous. She was as pretty as a peach, with long, tanned legs and silky blonde hair. I tried to ignore the fact that the flimsy material didn't do much to cover her breasts, but it was difficult when they were on full display for the entire third-floor to see.

        Her eyes narrowed at me. "Can I help you?"

        Well, this was awkward.

        I hastily looked down at Amelia's text. Maybe I'd still managed to arrive at the wrong apartment? 

        My sense of direction was known to be poor at the best of times.

        The knot tightened in my throat as I scrolled through her last message.

        Apartment 304, it read.

        I shifted my eyes to the numbered door that the blonde was gripping between her dainty, manicured hand, and then I mentally groaned.

        I wasn't lost like I'd secretly hoped for. There was just a girl, looking gorgeously rumpled in what I expected was Jace's shirt, who was staying in his apartment and—I made an educated guess—in his bed. I despised the jealous twinge that cinched my insides, which was stupid, because I totally didn't care what Jace did in his spare time, or more accurately, whom.

        I moistened my lips. "Uh, hey. Didn't Jace tell you I was swinging by?"

        "No, he didn't. We didn't exactly do much talking last night, if you know what I mean." She sighed, a dreamy smile on her face. As her brown eyes glazed over, I swore she practically melted on the hardwood floor, and I immediately recognized the expression that stole over her features. It was probably the same boy-obsessed look I had whenever I spoke, or even thought, about Jace.

        My stomach bottomed out.

        "Right." I nodded emphatically. "Is he here? Can I speak to him, please?"

        The blonde studied me closely. "Yeah. I'll just wake him up."

        Spinning around, she padded barefoot down the narrow entryway and disappeared around a corner I assumed led to Jace's bedroom.

        She'd left the door ajar, and I stood restlessly in the foyer, clasping my fingers together to keep them from fidgeting. When I was unable to resist the urge any longer, I poked my head further into the quiet apartment, curious to see where Jace had been living for the last year.

        Along the hallway, there was an abundance of framed photographs that hung slightly crooked on the pale walls. They were mainly nature shots, which were Jace's specialty. He'd always been a talented photographer; committed to seeing the world through a lens. When I was younger, I couldn't remember a time when he hadn't carried a camera with him, and Amelia and I had been his loyal subjects until he'd begun to take his photography more seriously.

        Down to the left—the only room I could see—was a spacious and carpeted living room that was minimalistic and modern. There was a black leather couch positioned in front of a giant flat-screen TV, sitting on top of a wooden cabinet, but aside from that, the room was virtually empty.

        I rocked back on the balls of my feet, grateful that I'd decided to come to Jace's early. The last thing I needed was to be late for my first day of classes at college.

        My breath caught when he eventually emerged. He was alone, too. Thank God for small favors.

        When I drank Jace in, my pulse skittered, and all the feelings I'd spent years trying to keep in check came flooding back.

        Holy Mother Mary.

        He was even more gorgeous than he'd been a year ago, if that was possible. His chestnut brown hair was scruffy from sleep and it fell in waves over his forehead. He had the most incredible eyes I'd ever seen; they were a steel blue-gray—definitely his most striking feature. Every time he looked at me with that penetrating gaze, I wished that he would see me, not just the girl who also happened to be his sister's best friend.

        As he neared me, my knees almost buckled.

        I detected that he had the slightest five o'clock shadow, which shaded the curve of his jaw and accentuated his full, kissable lips.

        And better yet, he was shirtless.

        My mouth dried and watered simultaneously when I caught a glimpse of Jace's bare chest. He had a defined six-pack, broad shoulders, and perfectly sculpted pecs. For a second, my mind drifted, and I imagined what it would feel like to roam my hands all over his naked torso. To be pressed against him and to feel him tightening in all the right places.

        Inwardly, I grimaced. I shouldn't be standing here, making doe eyes at my best friend's brother like no time has passed at all. What was I doing? I really needed to get a grip.

        "Shit, I'm so sorry, Hayley," he said, his voice all sleep-clogged and sexy. Argh. He pulled on the shirt he was holding, causing the sinewy muscles in his lower abdomen to flex. I flushed to my hairline and forced myself to drag my gaze up from his chest. "I must've forgotten to set an alarm last night."

        In other words, he was too busy with the busty blonde to remember about little old me. Just perfect.

        "It's fine," I insisted, but in no alternate universe was it ever going to be fine for me to visit his apartment for the first time and be greeted by a half-naked girl. "I thought maybe you'd forgotten I was coming."

        "No, how could I forget?" He grinned, revealing those gorgeous dimples.

        Damn it. He was making it entirely too easy for me to forgive him.

        He stood back and gestured for me to come inside. I trailed after him, our footsteps resonating on the smooth, timber floorboards.

        "I'll just grab my shoes and a protein bar, then we'll get going." His dark lashes lowered as he sent me a sideways look. "That okay with you?"

        "Sure," I donned a casual tone. I was a sophisticated college freshman now, not the uncool chick who'd tried, and failed, to make him notice me all throughout high school. Well, in the way that counted. "I like your new place."

        We'd entered his open-plan kitchen and dining room, and after a short survey, I decided that it was just as bare as his living room. Aside from the mahogany dining table—which didn't even have a fruit bowl—and matching chairs in the middle of the room, the space was mostly unfilled. I doubted that his new girlfriend lived here. Hell, you could hardly even tell that he did.

        "It's all right. I feel like I could do more with it." Jace frowned, as if he could read my thoughts. He leaned his hip against the kitchen countertop, crossing his arms. 

        "You know, I might be able to help you with that," I said, unable to hide the amusement in my voice. "If you're ever interested."

        "You can?" His brows creased for a short instant, then smoothed as his eyes acquired a knowing gleam. "God, I'm such a dumbass. You're going to be studying Interior Design, aren't you?"

        I nodded, pulling out one of his dining chairs and plunking myself down on it. "Don't worry, it's been forever since we've seen each other. I didn't expect you to remember." 

        This was the point in the morning I'd dreaded the most. Acknowledging the fact that we'd played the role of perfect strangers for the better part of a year.

        His eyes pinned me, his gaze searching mine. "Yeah, you're all grown up now. Off to college. I can hardly wrap my head around it."

        "All grown up?" I teased him. "You're only three years older than me, Jace. Not thirty."

        He kept staring at me, long and hard, and I watched as his expression shuttered, that familiar armor drawn up once again. A small smile curved his lips, and he looked like he was about to say something, but he never got the chance.

        The blonde appeared next to us, this time fully-clothed. Relief was surely evident on my face. As she stood quietly at the entrance of the kitchen, she glanced back and forth between Jace and me, as if she couldn't believe I was still here.

        Neither could I, to be honest.

        "This is Hayley," Jace supplied, saving me from having to introduce myself. "She's my little sister's best friend."

       My little sister's best friend.

        I quelled the impulse to pucker my face like I'd tasted something sour. "That's me. It's nice to meet you."

        "You, too," she said, and it actually sounded semi-sincere. Probably because my threat factor was virtually non-existent now.

        Things got awkward as hell when Jace located his sneakers, shoved beside the fridge, and he bent down to grab them. Not missing a beat, the still-nameless blonde came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist possessively.

        My insides twisted, and I fought the urge to lower my gaze.

        "So, what's for breakfast, babe?" she murmured.

        Seriously?

        I clenched my teeth until my jaw ached, reminding myself for the second time this morning that I didn't really care.

        Steeling myself to glance over at Jace, I was surprised to see that he'd stopped dead in his tracks, his shoes going limp in his hands.

        "Look, Jennifer," he said gently, easing out of her embrace. "Last night was fun, but I already made it clear that it was only going to be a one-time thing."

        The envy I'd felt vanished in an instant as it occurred to me that this girl was nothing more than a one-night stand. She sucked in a quick rush of air and blinked dumbly back at him. Apparently this was news to her, too.

        An extended silence settled between them, and my skin prickled.

        "I think I should go and—" I shot up from the dining chair, and it grated its protest noisily on the tiles. 

        "There's no need for that. I'm just about to grab my things," the blonde interrupted, cutting her eyes in my direction.

        I offered her a faint, sympathetic smile, hoping to convey that I'd also had my heart unknowingly stomped all over by Jace. I'd sampled just how badly the rejection stung.

        When she finally turned her attention back to him, her nose wrinkled up in obvious disgust. "And for the record jackass, my name is Jenna."

        Oh my God.

        Jace's lips flattened into a grim line, and I winced as she pushed past him.

        As much as I would have gladly welcomed the ground opening up and swallowing me whole—anything to remove me from the current situation—I had to settle for feigning interest in my phone while I waited for Jenna to collect her belongings. 

        I could feel Jace's eyes drilling into me after he'd stooped to tug on his sneakers, but I refused to look at him. Instead, I scrolled aimlessly down my Instagram feed.

        The second I spotted movement out of my peripheral vision, my head snapped up. Jenna clomped past us in a pair of heels that were dangerously high. She made a direct route to the front door, clutching her bag tightly to her chest, and I became aware of how vulnerable that position made her seem. I glared at Jace, as if to say, you're going to go after her, aren't you?

        He muttered something inaudible and followed after Jenna.

        The tread of their footsteps faded, and for a tense moment, there was nothing but silence. 

        "I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression," Jace spoke finally, talking low. "I'm just not looking for anything serious right now. I thought you knew that."

         I hadn't intended to eavesdrop on their conversation, but their voices floated down the hallway, making it impossible not to overhear.

        "No, I did," she said matter-of-factly. "Practically every girl at UGA knows you have commitment issues, I just fooled myself into thinking maybe I'd be different."

        Whoa. At least she had the guts, I'd give her that.

        "Well, then, I don't know what else to tell you, Jenna."

        There was another long pause, and I cringed. All of this drama was going to give me a stomach ulcer.

        "Just a little friendly advice," she called from the foyer, and I knew straight away that she was referring to me. "If you're planning on screwing him, at least make sure he remembers your name first."

        And then the door slammed.

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Author's Note:

Hey there, guys!

Welcome to my new story. This idea has been rattling around in my head for years now and I think it's finally time to start writing it. Thank you so much for giving this story a shot, I really appreciate it. Don't forget to vote and comment, it really helps me out, and I love hearing your thoughts :-)