Chapter 1

My husband, Michael Leigh, froze with his fork in midair. Apparently, that wasn't the answer he'd been expecting.

I met his eyes. "I married you because it made sense. I didn't love you all that much."

Michael's Adam's apple bobbed, and his face flushed red.

His first love, Emily Messier, laughed. "Of course you have to be practical when it comes to marriage. I get it."

She raised her wineglass and took a sip, her gaze skimming over my face.

I ignored her and turned to Michael. "Are you done eating? If you are, let's go."

He glanced at Emily, then at me. "Sadie, what's that supposed to mean?"

I picked up my bag. "I mean exactly what I said."

Emily stood and tilted her head. "Are you jealous? If it bothers you, I won't spend time with Michael anymore. You two are married, after all. I understand."

Then she reached over and tugged at Michael's sleeve.

I let out a laugh. "I don't mind at all, so don't worry. I get asked out plenty too. If Michael's going to be that strict about boundaries, I'd feel bad not doing the same, wouldn't I?"

Michael shot to his feet so fast his chair nearly tipped over. "Sadie! What are you talking about?"

I slung my bag over my shoulder. "You heard me just fine."

The corners of Emily's mouth dipped for a moment, but she quickly recovered.

"You really have the wrong idea. Michael and I are just old friends catching up. There's no need to be so sarcastic. It's only going to hurt things between you two."

I nodded. "Right. Catching up. Then keep catching up. I'm leaving."

Michael grabbed my wrist. "Sit down. We're not done eating. Why are you leaving?"

I looked down at his hand, then back up at him. "Let go."

He loosened his grip without thinking, and I pulled my wrist free.

"It's late. Emily shouldn't be going home alone this late, so I'm taking her home. You can take the subway. Text me when you get home."

I already had my phone out. "Sure. Take her. A friend of mine is nearby anyway. I'll get a ride from him."

Michael's expression changed. "What friend? At this hour? A man?"

"What's it to you?"

Without looking up, I texted my coworker, Ivan Garth.

"You nearby? Can you pick me up at The Bellwyn?"

His reply came almost immediately.

"Be there in five."

Michael stepped closer, trying to see my screen. "Sadie, who are you texting?"

I looked up at him with a smile.

"You can take Emily home, but I can't get a ride from someone? You two are just old friends catching up, right? So there's nothing strange about me meeting up with an old friend too."

Emily stood there, her expression starting to slip. "Michael, is she doing this because she's mad at me?"

"I'm not mad at you," I answered before Michael did.

Michael's expression had darkened.

I put on my coat, walked past them, and headed for the door. "My ride's here. I'm leaving."

Michael took a couple of quick steps after me. "Sadie! Explain what you mean before you leave!"

I glanced back at him. "Explain what? I've been perfectly clear this whole time. You're the one who doesn't get it."

I pushed open the restaurant door. Cool night air rushed in, making me shiver.

A silver-gray car was waiting at the curb. The window rolled down, and Ivan called out, "Sadie, over here."

I opened the door and got in.

As we pulled away, I caught sight of Michael and Emily in the rearview mirror, still standing outside the restaurant.

Ivan glanced at me but didn't pry.

"Thanks for coming to get me."

"No problem. I was having dinner nearby anyway."

We rode in silence for a while.

I leaned back in my seat and found myself thinking about Michael and me. We'd met on a blind date. Our families had been pushing us to settle down, so we got married after only six months.

Married life had been pretty uneventful. Michael worked late a lot, and I had my own job. I never held it against him. Then again, I wasn't all that invested either.

I'd always thought we could keep going like that forever.

But tonight was different. Emily sat across from me, commenting on my clothes, my job, and how much I made.

Michael cracked open a crab leg and put the meat on her plate. Then he told me dating and marriage were two different things.

I leaned against the window and suddenly found the whole thing absurd.

Everyone had a first love. I just wasn't the type to go back to mine.