I thought going on vacation with a stranger to make my ex, Josh, regret leaving me was a foolproof plan. Travis, a guy I barely knew from a bar, had agreed to pretend to be my boyfriend. But when we arrived at the hotel, things took an unexpected turn. Our room only had one bed. I panicked, insisting there must be a mistake, but the receptionist confirmed it. Josh, of course, was there too, and things were getting awkward.

Travis made everything easier—his humor and laid-back attitude put me at ease, and we played the perfect couple. Yet, with every laugh, every spontaneous moment, I started feeling something I hadn’t expected: peace. Days passed, and I forgot about Josh more and more. Then, one night, after a playful, crazy adventure, Travis and I shared a kiss, something I hadn’t planned on, but it felt real—better than anything with Josh.

The next morning, Josh came to me, pleading to get back together. But as he kissed me, I felt nothing. I realized I couldn’t go back to someone who never truly appreciated me.

I searched for Travis to tell him I wanted him, but he was leaving. I begged him to stay, and after a tense moment, he turned back, pulled me into his arms, and kissed me passionately. “Best idea ever,” he whispered. And for the first time, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be