the beginning is seriously making me doubt my reading comprehension skills

It's bcuz they are talking about events that happen in the prequel "Still, I like it"...u don't necessarily have to read that one but it does explain about Jinwoo and Colton's first meeting. U can definitely read Do you still like me as a standalone tho

I had no idea thanks.. is the prequel good?

I haven't read it. No interest in it to be honest