Chapter 1

“Come on, be honest. Have you ever slept with Keira?”

The guy’s deep voice stopped me as I reached the door. Peeking through a crack, I saw Jace Johnston lounging in a plush chair, his thin lips pressed together.

“She made a move, but I’m not into her,” he said.

“Don’t say that. Keira’s a real catch around here. Lots of guys are into her,” replied Steve Smith, Jace’s friend, who knew all about our ten-year history.

Jace frowned. “We just know each other too well, you know?”

When I was fourteen, I was sent to the Johnston residence and met Jace for the first time. Everyone predicted he’d be my future husband. Since then, we’d lived together for ten years.

“Exactly. You guys work at the same company, spend the whole day together, then head home to eat at the same table. You probably even know each other’s bathroom schedule by now,” Steve teased.

He continued, “These days, relationships thrive on mystery and the excitement of wanting what you can’t have. That’s what keeps things interesting.”

Jace remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

“Will you marry her?” Steve’s question stole my breath. Jace’s parents wanted us to marry, but he’d never given a clear answer, and I’d never asked. Steve was asking for me.

Jace stayed quiet.

Steve chuckled. “You don’t want to marry her?”

“It’s not that.”

“So, you do want to marry her, but you’re feeling conflicted, huh?” Steve, having grown up with Jace, understood him perfectly.

“Have you heard this saying?” Jace asked with a faint smile, lighting a cigarette. The smoke obscured the face I had loved for a decade.

My heart clenched. So, I’ve become something he finds hard to discard but has no taste for.

“So, are you marrying her or not?” Steve pressed.

Jace glanced at him. “Why are you so interested? Do you have a thing for her too? How about I just hand her over to you?”

His words made me feel like a possession he could casually give away. Even a pet would earn some affection after ten years. But I was nothing to him, while he was everything to me.

His words cut deep, and a lump formed in my throat. I looked down at the marriage license application in my hand and bit my lip hard.

Steve chuckled. “What are you talking about? I’d never go after my friend’s girl. I’m not that desperate.”

Jace stubbed out his cigarette and stood. “Get lost. You’re getting on my nerves.”

“It’s not me that’s bugging you, it’s Keira. If you’re not really into her, just let her go. Don’t waste her time,” Steve said, grabbing his coat and heading for the door.

As Steve opened the door, he saw me standing outside and froze. He rubbed his nose awkwardly, realizing I’d overheard.

He forced a smile. “Looking for Jace? He’s inside…”

My fingers felt numb as I gripped the form, unable to speak.

Steve glanced at the paper in my hand and moved closer. “Take a moment and really think about what you want.” He brushed past me and left.

The form felt like it weighed a ton. After a moment, I took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and pushed the door open.