Chapter 117. Trouble in a White Shirt

2024

Amelia’s POV

There was only one person who had ever called me Pookie.

It had been years—years—since I’d heard that ridiculous nickname. I hated it at first. Told him a million times to stop. But, of course, Adrian never listened. And eventually…eventually, I had let it slide because—ugh—I loved him, and I’d secretly liked it. Unfortunately.

And then, like an arrow to the chest, the memory hit me.

The last words he’d mouthed to me before he left for New York.

“I love you, Pookie.”

Back then, I had no idea that the next time we saw each other, it wouldn’t be a sweet reunion. It would be a disaster. A breakup waiting to happen.

I forced myself to breathe, pushing the memory back where it belonged. Deep, deep down in the “Do Not Open” section of my mind.

Trying to sound casual, I cleared my throat. “Uh, where did you hear that?”

Evie shrugged. “My dad told me he had someone really special to him, and her name