Second Chances
Louise Mallory

Emma keeps running into Jake at a quirky bookstore-café where shelves are organized by emotion rather than genre. They bond over their shared desire to escape their pasts and embrace new identities. At the infamous 24-hour diner off Fraternity Row, Emma accidentally spills coffee on Alex as he grades papers, leading to a night of deep conversation that draws her to his unassuming nature. At the "Whispering Wall," she discovers secret notes about her hidden in a crevice, realizing someone has a secret crush on her. Meanwhile, Noah reaches out on social media, rekindling their friendship as they both work at the campus radio station, dedicating love songs to "someone special" and hoping the other is listening.
As her relationships with the four love interests deepen, Emma learns that Alex and Liam are not only connected but also want to include her in their relationship, offering a unique dynamic where none of the guys pressure her to choose and instead celebrate her authenticity. At the vintage record store that doubles as a café, Liam expresses his admiration for her genuine self, while Alex reveals his feelings through sweet notes left for her. During a midnight poetry slam in the secret rooftop garden, Emma locks eyes with Alex during a moving sonnet reading, intensifying their connection as she feels pulled in multiple directions.
Emma’s feelings become even more complicated after an unexpected kiss with Noah in the hidden "Midnight Library," open until 3am. She decides to focus on her writing while volunteering late nights at the radio station, hoping to gain clarity amidst the romance swirling around her. A love note mysteriously appears in her textbook while studying in a library alcove, confirming Alex as her secret admirer. At a secret garden rumored to keep couples together forever, she meets Jake, who admits he knew about her winnings all along but fell for her authenticity. In this garden of possibility, Emma embraces the unique love each guy offers without having to choose—drawn to their different qualities and the openness they share in wanting to include her in a shared relationship.