Chapter 1

**Prelude**

My boyfriend had this "sister" figure in his life. They were practically joined at the hip.

So, the day we were supposed to get engaged for the ninth time? He stood me up. Why? Because it was their 20th "friendship anniversary."

"It's just a delayed engagement, babe. Don't make a big deal out of it. Are you really worried no one will marry you?" he said, brushing it off like it was nothing.

Her latest Instagram Story popped up on my feed, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.

"20 years of friendship. No way someone like you could ever compete."

They were hugging, way too cozy for "just friends."

I didn't cry. Didn't scream. I just liked the post, calmly. Then I vanished from his life.

Six months later, he calls, all apologies:

"I got you that wedding dress you wanted. Come back. Let's get married!"

But it wasn’t my voice that answered. It was a man’s.

"My wife's pregnant. What do you want with her?"

**Prelude ends**

The day my engagement fell apart, I tossed the ring into a trash can.

A cab driver waved me over. "Where to?"

"Anywhere but back," I snapped, not caring where we went.

When Carter's calls started pouring in, I turned my phone off.

It stayed off for three days.

The cool night breeze by Santa Monica Pier was strangely calming, lifting the hem of my red dress. It reminded me of the first time Carter said he loved me.

He was so young back then—awkward, his feelings written all over his face. He didn't know how to hide it, and I couldn't help but fall for him. Hard.

I'd left Austin, Texas, for him. Quit a job I loved to be his secretary for nine years.

Nine engagements. Each one fell apart because of her.

Her name's Brielle Stokes. She's been in the way more times than I can count.

"I told you, Brielle and I are just friends. Why are you so insecure?"

"We've been through everything together since we were kids. Do you really think it's more than that?"

"Skylar Quinn, stop acting like a jealous maniac! Brielle's already forgiven you for stalking us. What else do you want?"

Every argument left Carter's face dark with frustration.

And every time, I'd pick up the pieces of my heart, wipe away the tears, and apologize.

I was terrified of losing him, so I always gave in.

But this time? This time, I felt nothing. No anger, no tears. Just a quiet peace that came with being by the ocean, doing nothing, and letting everything else fall away.

Carter found me easily enough.

I'd forgotten the hotel I booked was one of his. He barged into my room like he owned the place.

"Skylar Quinn, running away is such a childish move."

"It was Brielle and I's 20th anniversary. We were just celebrating. Can't I have friends besides you?"

"Friends."

Right. Friends who kiss?

I didn't say it out loud. He'd call it "just a game." Like always.

"Brielle and I have nothing going on. Stop sulking, okay?" he said, his voice softening like he was trying to fix things.

"I'll make it up to you. We'll have a bigger wedding. Brielle can even be your maid of honor. Will that make you happy?"

His voice was so smooth, so soothing. Like he thought that would fix everything.

I didn't answer. His brow furrowed, confusion taking over his face.

"Skylar, if you don't—"

"Fine," I said, cutting him off.

The old me would've fought, would've begged him to understand. But not now. I just gave him a small, faint smile.

It caught him off guard, but he quickly masked it with a relieved smile of his own. He reached for my hand. "Let's go home."

I pulled my hand away and walked past him.

He stopped dead in his tracks, staring at me in shock. No fight? No arguments?

He didn't know how to deal with that.

When I reached his car, Brielle was already there, waiting.

"There you are, Skylar! Carter's been losing it trying to find you!" She said, smirking at him. "I told you we should've brought her to the anniversary, but nooo. Look what happened—she's jealous again!"

"Skylar, I'm sorry for him. Don't be mad, okay? If you are, I'll hit him for you!" She pretended to punch Carter in the chest, but ended up in his arms.

"Still got the charm, huh?" Carter smirked, his usual cocky grin in place.

"Ugh, stop holding me like that!" Brielle blushed and squirmed, glancing at me. "Skylar's watching. Are you trying to scare her off again?"