Chapter 2

2

Right before quitting time, I got a text from Liam.

He sent me an address and told me to meet him there. A friend's dinner, he wanted to introduce me.

That was a first.

We'd both accepted certain truths about our relationship.

Liam and I were not in the same circle, with completely different lifestyles.

He compartmentalized his life.

When he wanted to party, he'd go off with his buddies, bring some other girl along for the ride.

When he wanted to chill, he'd come to me, wanting the pampering I provided.

Did he love me?

Definitely not.

But he needed me.

That was why, despite my normal background and lack of style, he'd still impulsively decide he wanted to marry me.

That was all it was.

He wouldn't bring me around his friends, and he wouldn't integrate me into his world.

Because, frankly, he was embarrassed by me.

I was never one to complain. I knew I was punching above my weight with Liam, I accepted my place.

And I also didn't want to be some party favor, being judged by his friends.

Liam and I had always had a silent understanding.

But tonight, he'd broken it.

I rushed to the restaurant.

It was overheated, so I took off my scarf and coat and followed the waiter through the maze of tables to a private room.

I took a deep breath, gave myself a pep talk, and opened the door.

I wasn't prepared for what I saw.

The room was buzzing with people, mostly young and good-looking.

My first glimpse wasn't of my boyfriend Liam.

It was of Ethan, right in the center.

My first love.

Just as good-looking as he'd been back then, with a diamond stud in his left ear, a picture of rebellion.

Ethan. Ethan.

I mouthed the name a few times, then casually looked away, searching for Liam.