Chapter 1
Sibyl
Butterflies fill my stomach.Nerves settle in my chest like a vice grip, winding tighter and tighter. I smooth my hands down my dress, playing with the gathered seam on the skirt.
Why did I agree to this? Hazel said I needed to move on. Victoria said it would be good for me. Currently, I want to throw up all over this Uber. Who does this?
Three weeks ago, I came across a local photographer taking applications for stranger sessions—the cute ones all over social media where they meet for the first time and have a storybook photo session. I’ve seen a couple of these sessions where the strangers end up in a real relationship afterward. It’s adorable, heartwarming, and inspiring. Drunk Sibyl wanted that.
Sober Sibyl hates that drunk Sibyl filled out that questionnaire and matched with someone. I’ve lived in this county my whole damn life, and the only person I’ve ever matched with is the asshole I’m trying to get over.
Kellan
Did you bring your pepper spray?
Me
No. I did not
Kellan
Sibs… you’re meeting a stranger
Me
Several actually.
There’s going to be a photographer and her assistant, Kel. What do you think is going to happen?
Kellan
I don’t know. Anything could happen!
Me
there’s a knife in my purse
Kellan
Atta girl
I roll my eyes at my brother’s dramatics. Tucking my phone back into my purse, I watch the foggy landscape roll by. It’s a beautiful day for pictures—the kind of setting that’s dreamy, yet a little bit moody. If I’d scheduled this shoot for myself, I’d have wanted this type of weather. Willow Park does some of its best work on a moody day like this. I’ve been here several times, nursing a bottle of wine, or just to clear my head. In fact, Kellan and I spent a lot of time here as kids.
This park has the cutest little pond with an old wooden dock that’s maybe six feet long. Willow trees surround the pond, and an old wooden boardwalk winds through them—a little half-mile walking path that takes you around thewater.
It’s one of my favorite places on earth. Drunk Sibyl was screaming that this was meant to be. Sober Sibyl wants to bury her head in her hands and scream.
I work the reception desk at my brother’s auto body shop. I was raised by a single dad with Kellan as my main companion. Makeup, dresses…none of that is my strong suit. I wasn’t surprised at all when the girls showed up this morning. Bags and bags of product, hot tools, and clothes strung over their arms.
My little house looks like a fashion grenade went off in it.
I feel…pretty, though.
Hazel lent me a dark blue dress. It’s a soft cotton material. The neckline is lower than I’d normally go for, the elastic wrapping around my shoulders, leaving them bare as loose material flows down my arms. The fabric cinches at my wrists. It’s flowy and whimsical and perfect for today.
Victoria curled my long, dark brown hair, leaving it all down, the layers framing my pale face. I don’t spend enough time outside, or so the girls tell me. Since Halston broke up with me, I’ve been as adventurous as going to work and staying home. Pretending I’m a contractor because I’ve watched a few shows on HGTV and bought a giant mess of a house that needs major renovations. Aside from the hardware store, I haven’t gone out in weeks—probably months.
Halston talked about proposing, I even found a ring in his sock drawer. I wish I’d known it was forher—thatIwas the experiment. He worked that itch out of his system, and now a perky little blonde three towns over is wearing that ring. I tried to tell her. Hell, all the girls tried to tell her he’s an asshole. Naturally, I’m the villain in her story. I caused her man to cheat.
