Michelle was barefoot on the beach, sand clinging to her legs as she caught her breath. Her best friends—her college volleyball teammates—were laughing behind her, their bachelorette getaway in full swing. The sun was hot, the ocean breeze cool, but Michelle couldn’t shake the tension tightening in her chest. She twisted her engagement ring absentmindedly, its perfect sparkle doing little to calm the storm inside her. The wedding was weeks away, but her thoughts were already tangled in what-ifs. Needing space, she wandered toward the rocks lining the beach. Just as she turned the corner, she stumbled over a patch of seaweed—and crashed into someone. Whoa! he said, catching her by the arms before she could fall. Her hands landed on his chest, eyes meeting his. Striking. Unexpected. And suddenly, her world stopped. Sorry—I wasn’t looking, she breathed, heart hammering. He smiled, steady and intrigued, glancing down at the ring she hadn’t meant to flaunt. Looks like you’ve got a lot on your mind. She didn’t answer—because he wasn’t wrong.