Chapter 1

The day we were supposed to sign our dream job offer, my boyfriend tried to give it away.

Gavin and I sat across from the Aetheris Dynamics recruiter, two top Stanford seniors with matching S-tier offers.

It was contract day. He hadn't even touched his pen.

"We'll sign," Gavin said, arms crossed, "but only if you give Chloe Davis a position too."

My pen slipped. It tore a hole straight through my contract.

I couldn't believe his savior complex had followed us here. He was dragging his fragile ex-girlfriend into our job offer.

The HR executive didn't miss a beat. She looked right at me. "The $400K package is yours. Are you signing?"

Gavin snatched my contract before I could answer. He shoved both documents toward her.

His pen left a long scratch across the paper.

"Fiona and I are a package deal," he said. "She goes where I go. And I have plenty of other offers to consider."

The recruiter's smile didn't waver, but her eyes went cold.

"Aetheris is a cutting-edge AI company. We don't do 'package deals.'" She paused. "But I can offer your friend an interview slot."

Gavin didn't budge. "Either all three of us sign, or I walk. Take it or leave it."

The recruiter tapped her fingers on the desk, considering.

"Fine. I'll think about it. You can wait outside."

Gavin glanced at me. "I'll be downstairs."

He walked out like he'd already won.

The recruiter rubbed her temples. "And you? He doesn't sign, you don't sign either?"

"Aetheris is my dream company," I said quickly. "I'd kill to work here."

Her expression softened.

"Can I ask about the $400K package?"

She slid Gavin's unsigned contract across the table.

"We were torn between you and Gavin. Now that he's out, you're obviously the better choice."

The salary figure was bolded in red. My heart pounded.

"Thank you. I won't let you down."

I signed my name without hesitation.

The recruiter raised an eyebrow. "Gavin seemed pretty sure you'd follow him anywhere. Aren't you two together?"

My pen paused.

"We were. Not anymore."

She actually laughed. "Good. I was worried you'd throw away your future for a boyfriend."

She pushed a non-disclosure agreement toward me.

"All S-tier offers require confidentiality. We don't want competitors poaching you. Keep this quiet until graduation."

I signed that too.

Months of interviews and stress, finally over.

Downstairs, Gavin rushed toward me.

"Don't worry. Aetheris isn't stupid. They'll come begging us to sign."

I stared at him, not sure where to even start.

"You're talented, you've won awards—but Chloe isn't like you. If I don't help her, she'll never find a job."

Of course. It always came back to Chloe.

"I owe her," he said, his jaw tight. "We both do."

"Enough." I cut him off. "I've heard this a thousand times."

"Help her if you want. But Chloe doesn't even graduate until next year. Why are you locking down her offer now?"