Trusting You

I never planned on writing about love. But when an essay forces me to study it with Cody, I start seeing it everywhere—in his laugh, his silence, the way he looks at me like I’m worth noticing. And suddenly, love isn’t just an assignment. It’s real and impossible to ignore.

Cody’s still piecing himself back together from heartbreak.

I’ve spent my whole life making sure I never let it touch me.

But now, tangled in words and stolen glances, I don’t know what’s more terrifying—falling for him or believing he might be falling for me.

Love isn’t a paper I can rewrite when I get it wrong. And when the past creeps in—his and mine—I’m left with a choice: risk my heart on something I don’t understand or break it myself before he gets the chance. That would be safer. Easier.

But maybe love was never meant to be safe. And maybe, for the first time, I’m willing to risk it.

Love was always a subplot I never wanted. He turned it into the only story that mattered.

Trigger Warnings: This book contains themes of emotional trauma, broken family dynamics, and relationship tension.

Perfect for fans of: forced proximity, strangers-to-lovers, emotional healing, second chances.