Chapter 1

I was curled up in my childhood best friend's arms when my phone buzzed—my parents were summoning me to his place to meet his blind date.

At first, I laughed, certain there had been some mistake. We'd been together for six months, after all.

But then he pulled away, buttoning his shirt with casual indifference. "She's someone I've liked for years," he admitted. "I didn't want her to feel awkward, so I asked you to come. Just... don't make it weird. You and I are just hooking up."

The words hit like a slap. When I caught my reflection in the mirror, I didn't recognize the fool staring back at me.

That night, I deleted all our photos and told my parents I was ready to try dating too.

When he saw me with my fiancé months later, it was his turn to panic. "You can't do this," he choked out. "I love you."

I just frowned. "Don't make it weird. You and I are just hooking up."

*****

My parents called to tell me I had to go meet my childhood sweetheart's blind date at his place while he was still asleep beside me.

I thought it was a joke. Turning to Edward Shaw, my childhood best friend, I whispered, "Edward, my parents said your parents have set you up on a blind date."

He let out a lazy hum and pulled me into his arms. "Sherry, honey, help me pick an outfit and do my hair later."

When I froze, Edward opened his eyes and let out a mocking laugh. "What's with that look? We're just hooking up. You didn't actually think this was serious, did you?"

I didn't know how to respond, so I just fumbled around, my face burning.

Averting my eyes, I pushed him away, grabbed my clothes off the floor, and yanked them on.

"Sherry, look at me." Edward propped his head up, smirking. "You didn't really think we were together, did you?"

All I could hear was "hooking up" on repeat. My hands shook so badly that I couldn't even fasten my bra.

Edward tossed off the covers, his lean torso on display as he knelt beside the bed. With practiced ease, he reached over and hooked my bra for me.

I kept my eyes down. "So, who's the blind date?" I gave a humorless laugh. "Please tell me your parents didn't just grab some random woman from a matchmaking event."

I looked at myself in the mirror, noticing the scattered marks on my skin, my legs still sore from last night.

Edward, wearing nothing but gray sweatpants, came up behind me and pressed his face into the crook of my neck. "It's Irene."

His eyes, always too charming for his own good, danced as he repeated, "You know, Irene Lynn, the art student from college. Honestly, just thinking about meeting her again has me on edge."

My hand stilled, the lipstick hovering mid-air. Of course, I remembered that person.

Edward used to have a thing for Irene. But before he got the chance to confess his feelings, she moved abroad. I'd assumed he was over it.

Edward pressed his lips together, eyeing me carefully. "Don't go falling for me, Sherry.

"We've known each other since we were in diapers. Yeah, you're gorgeous, but I've always seen you as my best friend.

"You're my favorite person to eat with, ride with, and... well, sleep with."

His words hit me like a bucket of ice water. I forced a weak smile at his easy grin.

"I know your wardrobe inside out. I could probably pick out your underwear, too," he continued. "Honestly, it's kind of dull.

"There are nights I wake up and see you there next to me, and it actually throws me off.

"If we really got married like our families joke about, I'd see my entire future mapped out in one glance."

He actually shuddered after saying that, as if the thought alone terrified him.

I dug my nails into my palms, fighting back tears.

"I should go," I said, throwing on my coat and fleeing before I completely fell apart.

I truly believed Edward and I were in a relationship.

After all, we did everything couples do—eating together, going on dates, hanging out together with friends. We'd even kiss during Truth or Dare and say "I love you" without hesitation.

Whenever it rained, Edward made sure to drive me to work and back. And at family dinners, his hand would always find mine under the table.

I never imagined those six months I thought were real were just make-believe.

"Sherry." My mom tapped on the car window, her concerned face peering in.

I snapped back to reality, catching sight of my tear-streaked face in the rearview mirror. After a hasty reply, I wiped my cheeks and got out of the car.

"Mom," I said, throwing myself into her arms before she could see how wrecked I looked. "I missed you," I added with forced cheer.

Still holding her grocery bags, my mom linked arms with me and sighed. "Why were you just sitting out here? You gave me such a fright. Haven't you heard about people suffocating in cars?"

I was nodding along when Mom suddenly changed tack. "Sherry, Edward's bringing his blind date later. His parents are taking this one seriously. I heard Edward's been planning everything carefully. He thought having you there might put the girl at ease.

"I've been close with Janice for so many years, so today..." My mom hesitated, giving me an apologetic look.

I just nodded, forcing a smile. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll be charming and keep things light. I get it."

My mom's eyes softened with quiet understanding.

Of course Mom understood my pain. The photo of Edward and me still sat on my nightstand.

Every gift from him was treasured by me like relics, and my notebook overflowed with unspoken devotion.