Chapter 2

Chad went rigid.

The next second, his phone rang. A soft, sweet voice came through—Daisy.

His company's intern. Five years younger than him.

"Chad, I messed up a spreadsheet..."

"Don't worry, I'm on my way."

He hung up, pressed his forehead against mine like he'd misunderstood something.

"I'm still young. I need to focus on my career. Marriage can wait."

He pulled open the car door and dragged me out with him.

"Something urgent at work. Go home with Maya."

He circled back to the driver's seat, leaving nothing but exhaust fumes.

I closed my eyes.

Last time was exactly like this.

He said he wanted to see the ocean. I researched beaches for weeks, found the perfect spots.

He said he wanted seafood. I compared restaurants one by one, made all the reservations.

At the airport, one second he was holding me, saying:

"It's so great going on trips with you, babe. You plan everything perfectly."

The next second, his phone rang. Company emergency. Then he walked away without looking back.

I waited in the Maldives for a week. He never came.

"Sera!" Maya finally ran over. "Where's that punk?"

"Work thing. He left."

Maya let out a cold snort.

"Bet it was that Daisy again."

"I really don't get it. Besides being young and pretty, what's so special about her?"

Young. Pretty.

I turned those words over in my mouth. They only tasted bitter.

Five years ago, when Chad was chasing me, he said I was young and pretty too.

Last month, in bed, he grabbed my waist with a hint of disgust masked as teasing. "Babe, you really need to work out more."

Maya pulled me into a cab. Inside, she kept venting.

"You don't even know—that Daisy once booked a client incentive trip and somehow ended up booking herself instead!"

"Chad went to comfort her! Spent a whole week with her in the Maldives! A whole week!"

My brain exploded. Maya had already pulled out her phone.

"I added her as a friend. Chad tried to cover for her, said since she went to the same college as you, he couldn't be too harsh."

"Look, this post."

The date matched exactly—the week I was alone in the Maldives!

Every location in the photos I recognized. They were from the itinerary I'd sent him.

Daisy's caption read: [Day One with him!]

My mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Our five-year anniversary had been their first day in the light.

After dropping Maya off, I said goodbye as calmly as I could.

But when the door closed, I gave the driver Chad's office address.

I'd been to this building many times, but they all thought I was just his sister's best friend.

They didn't know he'd pin me against the couch in his office, against the floor-to-ceiling windows, on his desk—every reckless thing imaginable.

The office door was half-open. I was about to push it when I heard voices inside.

"Let's take a trip this Memorial Day weekend."

My hand froze mid-air.

Chad's voice came after a few seconds.

"Perfect. There's something I need to tell you anyway."

My heart contracted. I shoved the door open hard.

"What a coincidence. My wedding's Memorial Day weekend too."