Page 1

Chapter 1

Clara

There are worse places to run into the man who dumped you than a charity auction after three margaritas.

Unfortunately, I can’t think of one.

“Don’t look.”

I stop with my glass halfway to my mouth. “Why?”

Lila Dawson is staring over my shoulder, which means I’m absolutely going to look. “Clara.”

Too late.

I turn to find Evan Mercer standing near the bar in the Devil’s Peak Lodge ballroom.

And he’s not alone.

She’s blonde.

Beautiful.

Wearing a red dress I would never have the nerve to wear.

Her hand rests on his chest while he leans down to hear something she says.

Then he smiles.

That smile used to belong to me.

“Who is she?”

“Sienna.”

I turn back to Lila. “You know her?”

“I know of her.”

“That’s worse.”

“Much.”

I drink the rest of my margarita and Lila takes the empty glass away. “No.”

“I need another.”

“You’ve had three.”

“My fiancé dumped me six weeks ago because our life was too predictable, and now he’s brought a blonde in a red dress to an event he knew I’d be attending.”

“Fine. One more.”

“I love you.”

“I know.” She signals the bartender.

I refuse to look at Evan again. I’ve spent six weeks being remarkably mature about the end of a two-year relationship. I returned the ring. Canceled the venue. Changed the honeymoon reservation. Smiled when people at the library asked if I was okay.