Chapter 1
For eighteen years, no one had my trust the way Adrian Walker did.
Then, on the very night meant to honor my future, he pressed another woman"s hotel key into my hand and asked me to guard her reputation.
I offered him one last chance: meet me at the airport and pick the trip we had promised each other. Instead, he lied about a car accident, and I watched him wind a matching scarf around Sienna Brooks"s neck.
By the time Adrian realized I was truly gone, I had already picked a life in which love would never mean waiting in second place.
"Claire Morgan, this party is in your honor. You got into your dream school. Why are you behaving like this?"
Adrian Walker"s voice chased me through the music as I zipped up my bag and strode out of the bar.
The night air hit my face. Rather than head straight for the curb, I paused on the steps.
Adrian and I had grown up side by side. Eighteen years of shared birthdays, skinned knees, exam weeks, and inside jokes. For the last three of them, we had been a couple. Even after watching him spend my celebration hovering around Sienna Brooks, a small part of me still expected him to step outside, take my hand, and say he was sorry.
Ten minutes later, the glass door swung open.
"Claire."
I turned around.
Adrian"s hands weren"t empty. Sienna"s pink-and-white jacket was draped over one arm, and a hotel key card was pinched between two fingers.
He extended it toward me. "Take this."
I glanced from the card to the hotel next door. "Why?"
"Sienna drank too much and got sick in the restroom. Her parents are strict. If she goes home like this, they"ll make her miserable." He dropped his voice and reached for my hand. "I can"t help her change, and if anyone sees me taking her upstairs, people will talk. You"re my girlfriend. Please help me get her settled. Only for tonight."
For a moment, all I could do was stare at him.
The girlfriend he had ignored all evening had suddenly become useful—as cover for the woman he had spent the night shielding.
"I"m your girlfriend," I said. "I"m not your alibi every time you feel like playing hero for Sienna."
His face hardened. "Don"t make this ugly. I"m asking for one favor."
When I wouldn"t take the card, he tried to push it into my palm.
"Sienna"s always been shy. Tonight frightened her. You"re normally reasonable, Claire. Why are you being so petty?"
I slapped his hand away. The key card hit the pavement between us.
"Keep it. Go guard her precious innocence." I looked him in the eye. "We"re finished."
A cab pulled up to the curb. I climbed into the back seat before he could respond.
"Please go."
Through the rear window, I saw Adrian standing under the bar"s neon sign, still clutching Sienna"s jacket. He didn"t chase the cab. Of course not. Sienna was inside, scared and delicate, and I had spent years showing that I could look after myself.
My phone lit up before we reached the next intersection.
Adrian: Throw your tantrum if you have to. I sent you money for the room. Calm down.
I sent a single reply.
Save it for her hangover medicine.
Then I blocked him.
