Chapter 1

Just before sunset, Evan Wheeler and Zoey Peterson showed up at the door with matching grins. They exchanged a quick look, then held out a beautifully wrapped gift together.

Inside was a discontinued vinyl record by my favorite pianist, one I had been trying to track down for ages.

Zoey draped an arm around my shoulders.

"See how much I love you? I had someone track this down overseas. You have no idea how hard it was to find."

She glanced at Evan and gave me a playful nudge.

"And Evan paid a ridiculous amount to buy it off a collector. I officially approve of your boyfriend!"

She bumped my shoulder with hers.

Evan smiled at me, clearly expecting me to throw my arms around him like I usually did.

I looked at the two of them, then quietly stepped out from under Zoey's arm.

"I'm pretty tired. I think I want to head home today. Let's pack up and drive back to the city."

Evan and Zoey both went still. They exchanged a confused look, and the mood shifted instantly.

My little niece, Julia Hanson, tugged at the hem of my shirt and looked up at me. "Aunt Kaitlyn, aren't you going to play hide-and-seek with me anymore?"

My eyes fell on the brand-new Barbie in her arms, and a sharp ache cut through my chest. "Be good, Julia. I'll come play with you again next time I'm off."

With that, I turned and went inside to say goodbye to my relatives.

On the drive back, I deliberately climbed into the back seat. As soon as I got in, I leaned back and closed my eyes.

The car was painfully quiet. No one said a word.

About halfway home, Zoey turned around from the passenger seat and asked carefully, "Kaitlyn, what's going on with you today? Are you not feeling well?"

I cracked my eyes open. "I realized a few things today. I'm just tired."

Zoey visibly relaxed. "You scared me. I thought Evan and I had done something to upset you."

I gave her a faint smile, but said nothing. I just looked at her.

Something about my stare seemed to make Zoey uncomfortable. She quickly turned back around.

Then she glanced at Evan. "When we get back, we should still go somewhere and celebrate Kaitlyn's birthday. I mean, the three of us have celebrated together every year for the past six years."

Her words brought back a flood of memories from all those years together, and my eyes began to sting.

Still, when I spoke, my voice was flat. "Don't bother. I just want to go home and sleep."

After all, once today was over, I wouldn't have a boyfriend or a best friend anymore.

Evan was silent the entire drive, but the second I turned down the birthday plans, he pulled over and slammed on the brakes. His voice went cold.

"Kaitlyn, there's only so much of this spoiled-princess attitude I'm willing to put up with. Zoey and I came all the way to your hometown with you for your birthday, and you've been giving us the cold shoulder this entire drive. What exactly did we do to piss you off?"

Watching him act like he was the one being wronged, I rubbed my forehead wearily. "You're right. I'm moody and impossible. Let's just break up."

With that, I opened the door and got out. I pulled my suitcase from the trunk.

Evan threw open his door and came after me.

"Kaitlyn, do you seriously think I can't live without you? You threaten to break up every time something doesn't go your way."

As he spoke, he pulled a small box from his pocket and threw it onto the ground.

A diamond ring tumbled out, catching the last rays of sunlight.

He hissed, "If you walk away today, we're done. For good."

Zoey hurried over and grabbed my hand. "Kaitlyn, don't do something you'll regret. Evan was going to propose to you today!"

Evan's eyes were red as he turned his face away, looking like I was the one who had broken his heart.

My nose burned. I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat and looked at the two of them one last time.

For the sake of whatever dignity we had left, I gently pulled my hand free from Zoey's.

Then I bent down, grabbed my suitcase, turned around, and walked away without looking back.