Chapter 1

Ever since I was a child, I've had a strange ability.

When I touch someone's skin, I can feel the temperature of their emotions.

Concern is warm. Dislike is cool.

And burning love runs scalding hot.

Ten years with Jerome Gilbert, and his palm had always stayed lukewarm.

I chalked it up to being an old married couple and never thought twice about it.

The only thing that ever puzzled me was the day my sister got married.

My fingertips brushed Jerome's wrist, and the heat made me pull back.

That was three years ago. Then my sister came home for a short visit.

Jerome slipped out partway through the family dinner. I followed, and in the stairwell I heard my sister crying.

"Enough! Just to make me give up, you're going to bury yourself at my little sister's side for the rest of your life?"

His voice came out hoarse.

"What am I supposed to do? She's your own sister. We can't keep going down this road."

I leaned against the wall, my knuckles white.

So the heat that night hadn't been him being happy for me.

It had been him saying goodbye to her.

My phone lit up.

A reminder popped up on the screen: "7 days until the wedding."

I stared at it for two seconds, then called the hotel.

"Hi. I'd like to cancel a wedding."

1

Through the gap in the door, Jerome had his back to me.

Both hands braced against the wall, forehead pressed to the tile.

My sister's eye makeup had smeared, but she kept glaring at him anyway.

"Agnes Henson, it's over."

His voice sounded like he'd forced it out of his chest.

"Next week Lois Henson and I get married. She lost our parents when she was little. You're the only sister she has."

"Don't let her find out."

"I'm begging you."

I leaned against the wall, nails digging into my palm.

The whole world felt hollowed out under me.

Jerome and my sister.

I had never once put those two people together.

She'd married her current husband three years ago.

Right after the wedding, she went abroad with him.

An entire ocean between us, a few holiday greetings dropped in the family group chat.

Jerome would see them and just mention it to me in passing.

"Is your sister doing okay over there? Call her more when you get the chance."

At the time I only thought he was being thoughtful.

Now, looking back, I wonder what he'd been holding down under that casual tone.

In the stairwell, my sister was crying.

She'd only flown back yesterday.

Tonight's family dinner was meant to welcome her home.

She reached out and grabbed at Jerome's cuff, her fingers shaking hard.

"Three years."

"Three years I was abroad, and you never called me once."

"Now I'm back, and you're telling me it's over?"

He shut his eyes and yanked his arm free.

"It should have been over before you left."

"I don't believe you!"

Her voice went shrill.

"You told me to wait for you, you told me not to marry him!"

"I know I wronged you, but I came back!"

"Jerome, I'm back now!"

His head snapped up, his eyes turning cold.

"If you let Lois find out, I will never see you again as long as I live."

My sister went rigid.

A long moment passed, then she smiled.

It was worse than crying.

"Fine."

"You win."

"I'll stand there and watch you two get married."

"I'll be the good sister for the rest of my life."

I closed my eyes and turned to leave.

My steps were so light it was like walking on cotton.

Not long after I got back to my seat, Jerome returned too.

He sat down beside me and took my hand, easy as ever.

Cool and mild. Just like always.

"Why are your eyes red?"

His thumb wiped the corner of my eye.

I looked at that worried face of his.

As if nothing had happened at all.

"It's nothing. I've had too much to drink."

He didn't press.

Because my aunt-in-law had risen with a glass in hand, calling for everyone to quiet down.

"Come now, it's not every day Agnes makes it home. Lois, say a few words to welcome your sister back!"

I was just about to stand.

Then Jerome pressed a hand to my shoulder and reached for the microphone on the table first.