Never With You (Always Say Never #1)

Prologue

There were signs that Isaac sucked.

I just ignored them.

Like when he told me I shouldn’t eat a second scotcharoo at the office party because I’d already had one. Or how he didn’t include me in conversations with men at work—the bros were talking bro stuff. And even the blatant flirting with Monica from accounting.

I let it all slide because our lives were so intertwined. We ran the event department together at Houselink Solar , and deep down, I knew that if our relationship failed, one of us would have to quit our job.

And by one of us, I mean me.

Isaac is the darling of the company. He’s not going anywhere.

That’s why you should never date someone you work with.

Never.

Those are words to live by, or you’ll end up getting dumped in a glass-walled office with your coworkers watching from their cubicles. Good news, though, I didn’t cry. Even when Isaac called me a control freak who’s unbearable to be around—one of many douchey things he said—I kept a straight face. I was so far down the "I need a new job as soon as possible" path I was brainstorming other companies that might be hiring while he told me he never loved me. I’m an excellent multitasker.

Thirty-four job applications later, I sprawl out on my couch that night, nursing a massive stomachache from all the spoonfuls of Nutella I consumed. In the depths of my depression over starting a new career at twenty-six, eating large amounts of sugar seemed like a good idea. The cramping I feel now says otherwise.

So I doomscroll Instagram, go numb, and try to escape my many, many problems.

A new comment pops up from @worth_traveling_to, but I don’t switch to my travel account to read it. A post I made about exploring where you live went viral last week, so a lot of comments have been coming in.

Did I mention I have an Instagram travel page?

@girl_sees_the_world

My bio says it all: Just a girl who loves traveling, daredevil adventures, and seeing the world.

It’s a small account where I share photos from places I’ve been and tours I’ve done—nothing fancy, just pretty pictures of scenery and adventure experiences. I never show my face because it’s public, and I don’t want creeps trolling me. It’s more of a hobby than anything, so I was surprised when my last reel took off.

It featured short clips of places around Arizona that locals don’t always visit: the Grand Canyon, Prescott, Monument Valley, Sedona, Glen Canyon, and Vermillion Cliffs. The caption said, "Discover where you live. "

The reel has one million views. I guess Instagram doesn’t think I’m unbearable—just my ex-boyfriend.

I flip to the comments and read the newest one.

@worth_traveling_to: Great shots. I can’t believe how many people live in Arizona but have never been to some of these places.

I push reply.

@girl_sees_the_world: @worth_traveling_to Agreed. Some of the most amazing places nature offers are right in our backyard.

Another quick reply from the stranger.

@worth_traveling_to: @girl_sees_the_world I would add Canyon de Chelly National Monument and Havasu Falls to your list. Have you been to those places yet?

Curiosity wins out, and I click on the commenter’s profile.

The profile picture shows a shirtless man with his back to the camera. Judging by the corded arm muscles and shoulder blades, he seems young and highly fit. A backward baseball hat covers his dark hair, and sunglasses make it nearly impossible to see what he looks like, especially when all we’re given is the side angle of his face. But it’s enough to deduce he’s attractive.

Scrolling through his page shows all travel pictures like mine, but he’s been to more exotic places than me and has done some daring stuff I’d love to conquer. Sometimes he’s in the photos; sometimes he’s not. But it’s never enough to glean anything more than what his profile picture shows. And nothing more can be learned from his bio. All it says is, Mr. International.

Interesting.

I click follow then go back to my account to reply.

@girl_sees_the_world: @worth_traveling_to I’ve done Canyon de Chelly but didn’t have a clip handy from that trip for my reel. I’ve never done Havasu, but I’m dying to go. It’s definitely at the top of my Arizona bucket list.

After replying, I mindlessly scroll through my For You Page, thinking our conversation is over, but a DM from @worth_traveling_to has me clicking over to my direct messages.

@worth_traveling_to:

Havasu Falls is incredible. Before planning your trip, let me know if you have any questions. I have some good tips. Tell me about the rope swing in Moab, Utah. I saw a picture of you doing it on your account, and I’ve been dying to try it.

His message means nothing .

I got dumped today. I don’t even like men right now.

For all I know, this guy could be married or in a relationship, and I’m no DM home-wrecker. This communication is strictly about comparing travel experiences, and I remember that as I type out my reply.

@girl_sees_the_world:

The Moab rope swing is the coolest experience of my entire life. Nothing gives you an adrenaline rush like that. It’s a thrill I’ll remember on my deathbed. The anticipation is real, but then you jump, free-falling off a four-hundred-foot cliff, and swing between the canyon walls. That’s when everything becomes a million times more exhilarating. The ropes catch you smoothly with no whiplash at all. I highly recommend it!

There.

A perfectly honest, platonic answer to his message.

@worth_traveling_to:

Dang, that makes me want to do it even more. My travel schedule is already pretty booked for the year, but I might have to find a weekend to drive up to Utah and try it out.

@girl_sees_the_world:

What travels do you have coming up?

@worth_traveling_to:

A few in the South Pacific, some places in Europe. I’ll throw in a few more destinations, but those are the ones on my schedule right now.

@girl_sees_the_world:

Wow, you really are Mr. International.

The moment I send my reply, I feel stupid. First, it sounded flirty, and second, now he knows I checked out his account. But then again, he looked at mine since he asked about the rope swing in Moab.

@worth_traveling_to:

Mr. International is a self-given nickname.

@girl_sees_the_world:

So what’s your country count? If you give yourself a nickname like that, you better have the numbers to back it up.

@worth_traveling_to:

A real man never travels and tells.

A smile creeps across my lips. Now, he’s the one who sounds flirty. I’ve sworn off men I work with, but what about virtual men? It could be my new thing.

@girl_sees_the_world:

That just means your count is embarrassingly low.

@worth_traveling_to:

I’ve been around the block a time or two.

@girl_sees_the_world:

I guess I should be grateful you don’t travel and tell. Nobody likes a man who brags about all his conquests.

@worth_traveling_to:

What’s your country count? In case I want to stake a territorial claim.

I laugh, feeling all the classic giddy feelings, even though I was heartbroken two minutes ago.

@girl_sees_the_world:

Unfortunately, I don’t travel and tell either.

@worth_traveling_to:

Fair enough. I guess I’ll have to keep talking to you until I find out. Based on your travels and experiences, you seem like you’d be a lot of fun to hang out with.

I should copy and paste that and send it to Isaac.

@girl_sees_the_world:

Same with you.

A wide smile forms when I get the notification that @worth_traveling_to just followed me back.