Chapter 1

"Chad, slow down..."

Chad let out a low laugh. "Can't keep up already, babe?"

My legs went weak. I just closed my eyes and let him do what he wanted.

I spent five years in a secret relationship with him—my bestie's little brother.

He liked it rough, loved pushing boundaries, so bit by bit I molded myself into exactly what he craved in bed.

Five years of this recklessness. Three marriage proposals.

All three rejected.

"Chad, my family gave me an ultimatum. I have to get married this year."

His movements paused. He kissed my ear softly. "Just... wait a little longer."

Then, right before Memorial Day, my bestie grabbed me, her face lit up with excitement.

"Sera! Guess what I just found out! Chad—the one who never even looks at women—is planning to propose! He already bought the ring!"

My heart lurched. Hope bloomed in my chest like a flower breaking through concrete.

"Really? You already know?"

She looked at me in surprise. "You know, too? Oh, right, she's an intern at his company. I think she was your younger classmate."

I froze. The bitterness rose in my throat. I swallowed it down, agreed to my family's arranged marriage, then turned to her.

"What a coincidence. I'm getting married Memorial Day weekend, too. Beach wedding. Come be my maid of honor."

...

Maya—my bestie—grabbed my arm, shock written all over her face.

"I've introduced you to so many guys over the years, and you turned them all down. Why the sudden wedding?"

I hesitated. "Family arrangement. I can't wait anymore."

Maya sighed, her heart too big to hold grudges. "Yeah, I guess. Your grandma's getting worse. She just wants to see you married before..."

I looked down.

My grandmother raised me. Now Alzheimer's was stealing her away, and all she wanted was to see me married while she could still understand what that meant.

Chad knew. But all he ever said was "wait a little longer."

Five years of hiding, and I couldn't take it anymore.

Maya shoved my shoulder playfully. "Forget that. Show me a picture of your guy!"

I forced a weak smile and reached for my phone.

The screen lit up. A hand reached over my shoulder and snatched it away.

We both whipped around.

Chad stood there, holding my phone in one hand, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Sera's got a boyfriend? Let me see too."

But I could see exactly what he was doing—deleting the few photos we had together.

My heart clenched like someone had wrapped a fist around it.

Did he think I was about to show Maya our photos?

Even now, he wouldn't let our relationship see the light of day.

"You little punk, how dare you grab Sera's phone?" Maya snatched it back and shoved it into my hands.

"I just wanted to make sure he's good enough for her."

Chad's eyes flicked to me, loaded with meaning.

"Sera's like a little rabbit. So innocent. Easy to take advantage of."

Heat flooded my face. That's what he called me in bed.

Said I was in my thirties, how come I didn't act like a woman with any fire in her—still playing the innocent.

Maya scoffed, then suddenly looked at me.

"Sera, why are your eyes red?"

"It's nothing. I'm tired. I should go."

I left quickly. Behind me, Maya shoved Chad.

"Go apologize! I'll be right there after I pay."

Chad caught up with me in the parking garage.

The lights were dim. He pinned me against the car door, his chin pressed into my shoulder.

"Babe mad at me? I just didn't expect you'd want to tell everyone about us so suddenly."

He was too close. Close enough for me to smell the cologne I'd given him. Close enough to see the lipstick mark on his collar that wasn't mine.

My heart felt like someone had squeezed it. Acid rose from my chest to my throat.

I used all my strength to push him away. "Weren't you going to drive us home? Let's get in."

Chad clearly froze.

In five years, I'd never used that tone with him.

No matter how much he played around, how wild he got, I'd only sigh softly and let him go.

He paused, then opened the passenger door.

But I slipped into the back seat instead. He climbed in after me, impatience creeping into his voice.

"I have my own plan. I'll tell them eventually. Why the rush?"

I turned to look at my reflection in the window. At the crow's feet at the corners of my eyes. My voice came out quiet.

"I'm getting married."