The story begins when Ivy, during a drunken night out, accidentally confesses her long-held feelings for her friend, Maxwell ""Max"" Harper. This leads to the start of their relationship, which Ivy must balance with her academic pursuits and friendships. Ivy's life takes an unexpected turn when her friend Amara enters their group into a national cybersecurity competition. Despite their lack of experience, Ivy and her friends throw themselves into learning coding and hacking, ultimately placing third in the competition. Their success leads to an exciting opportunity in Silicon Valley, forcing Ivy to reconsider her carefully planned future. Throughout the story, Ivy grapples with the challenges of maintaining her relationship with Max, keeping up with her studies, and exploring this new passion for technology.