Prologue
Chapter 1
Harper
Seeing Asher’s engagement to Kenzie hit me like a bullet to the stomach. He called off our engagement in June, just a month after moving back to Frosthaven Falls from our shared home in Pittsburgh to be closer to work.
He works remotely, creating websites as a freelancer.
For a brief moment, he was swamped with clients and making good money. He believed being in the city would benefit us both. “You’ll have more clients to photograph in the city than back home, and I can network. It’ll be perfect,” he said.
I was content living in Frosthaven Falls, close to my family, but I loved Asher and wanted to follow him anywhere. Then the money dried up for him. Meanwhile, I had been booked solid, photographing weddings nearly every weekend for the past two years. I had paid most of the bills for over a year, and it was clear that Asher resented me for it. Though he could have pursuedmore work, he chose to stay home, playing video games and blaming the market.
My dream had always been to marry on Christmas Eve at Starlight Manor, stepping outside with my husband beneath twinkling lights and fresh snow. We had everything planned, and I’d even paid for the venue because it was my dream. But we canceled too late to get my money back.
I still held on to hope—hope that Asher was just having cold feet after being together for so long. Fifteen years, in fact. We met at thirteen and had never spent time apart since. It took him fourteen years to propose.
“It’s natural,” I told myself. “He just needs to experience life a little more. He’ll see that life is better with me.”
Even when I found out that Kenzie and Asher were dating, I convinced myself he would come back to me. My sister wanted to confront Kenzie, but I insisted it was fine. Everything would work out in the end. It had to.
Now, I just feel foolish. He’s marrying my best friend. I wipe away tears as I stare at her Instagram post.
Kenzie Marks and I had been inseparable since the third grade. She cried when I moved to Pittsburgh and had even visited a few times. But once Asher returned home, she cut contact with me, and now I understand why.
When my phone rings, I almost decline the call. I don’t want to talk to anyone, but it’s Gina. I know she won’t stop calling until I pick up, likely already planning how to confront Kenzie.
“Hey,” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t tell her I’ve been crying.
“That bitch.”
Such a classic Gina response makes me snort despite my sorrow. “How long do you think they’ve been engaged?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened right after he moved back. I was told they were practically all over each other at thedrive-in that first weekend. And driving his mom’s convertible? Not the smartest choice.”
The thought of them together churns my stomach. “I’m okay, Gina. Really.”
“No, you’re not, but we’ll pretend because I think you need to.”
My big sister can be an annoying brat, but I love her, especially now.
“That’s not why I called, though. I saw her post pop up. Don’t watch her story. Trust me.”
I swallow hard, knowing I’ll end up torturing myself by watching it later. “What was the real reason you called?”
“Well, you weren’t home for Thanksgiving—”
“I’m sorry, Gina. I just couldn’t risk running into them.”
“I know. Trust me, I know. I do my best to avoid them; I don’t want to spend my Christmas savings on bail money.”
God, I love her. And I miss her. “What did I miss at Thanksgiving? Something exciting? Or was it full of drama?”
“Exciting. Totally exciting. And I need you to come home. Soon.”
“You’re pregnant!” I gasp.
“I’m engaged. Thanks for bringing my happy news down a notch.”
