Chapter 1

I sat in the clerk's office at San Francisco City Hall, the damn marriage license application sitting on the desk between us.

It looked less like a new beginning and more like a death certificate.

Declan’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen, and his face instantly changed. "Shit. Sienna, I am so sorry―"

"Don't," I said. I already knew. I always knew.

"It’s Sienna. She fell down the stairs at her place. Could be a broken ankle. I have to―"

"Go," I said, my voice terrifyingly calm.

"Babe, we can just come back tomorrow, okay? It’s the same thing, just one day later―"

"Sure. Whatever."

He hesitated for a second, pressed a rushed, meaningless kiss to my forehead, and bolted.

Just like that, I was alone.

Sitting in a government office surrounded by couples holding hands and giggling like idiots.

My phone buzzed. A text from Declan:

"Si's ankle is worse than we thought. Might need surgery. We have to push the wedding back. Really sorry, babe."

I stared at the screen, fighting the urge to laugh hysterically.

How many times? How many times had he ditched me for Sienna? How many times was I the option he left behind?

The clerk looked over, giving me a pitying look. "Miss, are you... still proceeding?"

"Yes," I heard myself say. "I'm getting married today."

She blinked in confusion.

I pulled out my phone and texted another man.

The man I saved six years ago at my grandmother's winery in Napa. The man who owed me a favor.

"Remember you owe me? I’m cashing it in. City Hall. Be here in twenty minutes."

The read receipt appeared immediately. Then, three dancing dots.

"On my way."

I placed my phone face down on the table and took a deep breath.

Okay, Lily Vance. You’re finally doing something completely batshit crazy.

My mother’s call came in while I was staring blankly at the fluorescent lights.

"Lily! Did you sign the papers? Hurry up and get to the Ritz-Carlton, both families are waiting to celebrate―"

"Mom," I interrupted. "We didn't sign. Sienna twisted her ankle, and Declan went to the hospital to hold her hand."

I waited for the explosion.

My mother, Eleanor Vance, the woman who made venture capitalists on Sand Hill Road tremble, was silent for three whole seconds.

Then she detonated.

"What the hell is he doing?!"

"Mom―"

"Postponing the wedding?! Do you know how many people we invited? State senators, the board, your father’s investors! He thinks he can just reschedule?! Does he think this is playing house?!"

"Mom, stop―"

"And that little bi―" She took a sharp breath, swallowing the word. "You know what, I’m calling Catherine right now. The Sterlings owe us an explanation―"

"Mom!" I finally yelled. "Mom, stop."

She paused.

"The wedding is still on."

"...What?"

"I said, the wedding is still on. It’s just..." I closed my eyes. "The groom has changed."

Dead silence on the other end.

Then I heard my dad in the background: "Eleanor, what is that look on your face? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

My mom’s voice became very careful. "Lily, baby, are you saying..."

"I’m marrying Julian Thorne. Today. In twenty minutes."

Another silence.

Then my dad’s voice came through, clearly having snatched the phone: "Fantastic! Oh, thank God! Eleanor, our daughter finally woke up!"

I couldn't help but smile, even though my eyes were stinging.

"Lily, sweetie," my mom’s voice returned, softer this time. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"That bastard didn't deserve you. He never did."

"I know, Mom. I know."

I hung up just as he walked in.

Julian Thorne.

He was still wearing a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, looking like he just stepped out of a board meeting. His hair was slightly messy, like he had run here.

Six-foot-three, dark eyes, a jawline that could cut glass―a Stanford legend who took over his family’s tech investment firm at twenty-six and turned it into the most aggressive VC in Silicon Valley by thirty.

He saw me, and an unreadable expression crossed his face.

"Lily."

"Julian." I stood up. "Thanks for coming."

He walked up to me, studying my face intensely. "Have you been crying?"

"No," I lied.

He reached out, his thumb brushing my eyelashes, coming away damp. "Liar."

I looked away. "Can we just... get this done?"

"Marriage?" His voice was low, carrying an emotion I couldn't place. "Alright. Let's do it."

He paused. "But Lily, if you have even a shred of hesitation―"

"I don't." I grabbed his hand. "I’m sure. Are you?"

He looked at me, those dark eyes holding a depth I couldn't read.

"I have never been more sure of anything in my life."