Chapter 1

1.

Elias noticed that I had stopped asking for his opinion on everything.

An email came from work―a position had opened up at the New York headquarters, and they wanted to know if I was interested. I filled out the application and hit send before I even remembered I hadn't told him.

When Sarah's wedding invitation arrived, addressed to "Chloe Vance and Guest," I RSVP'd for one and wrote a separate check for their gift.

Even the minor surgery, the one that required a hospital stay, I handled myself. I found a specialist, dealt with the insurance pre-approval, and scheduled the procedure all on my own.

Elias was a surgeon. When he found out, he frowned.

"You're sick? Why didn't you tell me?"

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

"I handled it. Don't worry."

As soon as I said it, we both froze.

Just two weeks ago, I was the "clingy girlfriend" who would text him photos of dresses and salads, agonizing over what to wear on a date or what dressing would make me fat.

"This one or this one?" "Is this vinaigrette going to kill my diet?"

He used to answer. Then his replies became a curt "either one is fine," and eventually, he just left me on read.

I thought he was just busy. Until I realized he wasn't like that with everyone.

For instance, with Lily―the daughter of his late mentor, who he'd been asked to look after.