Chapter 1

My buddy broke his leg, so I went to the hospital to visit him.

In the room next door, I saw my girlfriend tangled up with a guy, kissing him passionately.

When I got a good look at his face, I realized he looked exactly like a younger version of me.

Later, my girlfriend came to me in tears, but I just smiled and handed her a bright invitation. “I’m getting married next month. You should come and have a drink.”

1.

“Man, being single sucks. I’m stuck in the hospital and only my bro comes to see me.”

Chase Sterling was propped up in his hospital bed, his leg in a massive cast.

Despite his condition, he leaned in with a gossipy look on his face.

“Quinn, you and Evie Larkin have been together for seven or eight years now. When are we finally getting a wedding invite?”

I froze for a second.

I actually wanted to propose years ago, but Evie said she wanted to wait until our careers were stable.

We were both building our own paths and staying busy, so the matter just kept getting pushed back.

But we had been together since college, and after nearly a decade, our relationship felt rock solid.

“We’ve both been swamped with company stuff. We haven’t had a chance to sit down and talk about it yet.”

I handed Chase a peeled apple and stood up to grab him some dinner.

As I walked past the room next door, I heard some suggestive sounds coming from inside.

I figured it was just a passionate young couple and felt a twinge of envy.

Evie and I used to be that way, inseparable and intense.

But after all these years, the fire had settled into a steady hum. We felt more like family now.

The door was slightly ajar, giving me a clear view of the room.

That one accidental glance made me stop dead in my tracks.

A man and a woman were wrapped around each other, kissing like they wanted to melt into one person.

The woman’s profile in the moonlight looked hauntingly familiar.

Why did she look exactly like my girlfriend, who was supposed to be working late at the office?

My phone screen still showed the text from Evie telling me not to wait up for her.

Just then, the nurses at the station behind me noticed the scene too.

They giggled among themselves, their voices drifting into my ears. “That lady and her boyfriend are so sweet. She comes every night to stay with him. They’re both so good-looking, it’s like a movie!”

I tried to tell myself it was just a coincidence, that she just had a similar look.

Evie was closing a massive deal right now and working until midnight every day. How could she be here every night?

But my heart was hammering against my ribs, refusing to settle until I knew for sure.

I pulled out my phone and hit the button for a video call.

A ringtone echoed from inside the hospital room, but it was cut off after only two seconds.

The two people inside finally broke apart.

In that brief gap, I saw the woman’s face clearly in the moonlight.

Her long lashes were lowered, her brow slightly furrowed, and her red lips were swollen and glistening. She looked stunning, but there was a hint of annoyance on her face.

It was Evie. There was no doubt about it.

At the same time, a text flashed on my screen. It was short: “Busy.”

I stood there like I’d been struck by lightning, my feet feeling like they were made of lead.

The two people in the room didn't care about the interruption. Evie wrapped her arms around the guy’s neck and pulled him back into a deeper, more frantic kiss.

I thought she was busy with work, but she was just busy being passionate with someone else.

My mind was a chaotic mess.

Evie had always been the light of my life.

When I first had the idea to start my own business, she was the only one who backed me.

Even now, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for her unwavering support back then.

Because of that, I didn't want to make a scene and make things ugly right away.

I quickly checked on Chase and then headed home, feeling like a ghost.

In the dead of night, when everything was silent, Evie finally returned looking completely satisfied.

She looked surprised to see the light in the hallway and me sitting quietly on the couch.

I stood up. “Evie, I need to talk to you.”

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking exhausted. “Can it wait? I’m really tired and just want to get some sleep.”

My heart sank even further. She was probably “working” hard at the hospital until late.

Evie walked over and tried to give me a hug.

But my mind flashed back to her kissing that man, and a wave of nausea washed over me.

I took a step back, leaving her blinking in confusion.

“Why do you smell like cigarettes?” I asked.

A flicker of panic crossed her face, but she quickly regained her composure. “I was just going over a contract with a client. I probably just picked it up from them.”

She really was a shark in the business world; her poker face was perfect. She could lie without even blinking.

How many times had she done this before?

I didn't push the subject, but I kept my eyes locked on hers.

“Evie, you once said we were the closest people in the world and shouldn't have secrets, right?”

“Is there anything you’re not telling me?”

I wanted her to confess. If she just told the truth, I could find it in my heart to forgive her this once.

We had years of history and had supported each other through everything. I didn't want to throw it all away.