What started as a plan to make my ex, Josh, regret leaving me quickly turned into something far more complicated.

I had hoped that going on vacation with Travis, a stranger, would make Josh jealous and help me win him back. But when we ran into Josh at the airport, I realized things weren’t going as planned. Despite my efforts to appear happy with Travis, Josh seemed unaffected.

The real challenge came when we arrived at the hotel and realized there was only one bed. It was an awkward situation, and at first, I was frustrated. But over the next few days, something unexpected happened. Travis was easy to be around—funny, spontaneous, and carefree. I found myself genuinely enjoying my time with him, even laughing and having fun without thinking about Josh.

Then, Josh came to me, asking for another chance. When he kissed me, I felt nothing. That was when I realized that what I had with Travis was something real. I didn’t want Josh back anymore—I wanted someone who saw me for who I really was.

In a moment of clarity, I ran after Travis as he was about to leave, finally admitting that I wanted him. “I want you,” I told him, and he kissed me in return. For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace, knowing that I had found someone who truly appreciated me.