Chapter 1

The four years Olivia Hill spent with Alex Walker were the happiest of her life.

After they broke up, Olivia spent the next five years crying over him.

She didn't cry every day, but whenever she thought of Alex, it felt like a cold drizzle settling in her chest, damp and stifling, until her eyes grew wet.

She had never thought she'd see Alex again, until Adam White's dinner party. The moment she stepped into the noisy private room, her eyes landed on a familiar profile.

Her heart pounded. The chatter around her faded into silence. And all she could see was him.

In a white shirt and black slacks, he looked tall, restrained, and devastatingly handsome. His head was lowered over his phone, his thumb swiping the screen now and then.

Olivia stood rooted to the spot as memory bled into the present: five years ago, he'd wrapped an arm around her waist, brushed his nose against hers, and murmured, "Liv, kiss me." It felt like another lifetime.

Her fingertips trembled and her eyes stung. She turned to flee, only for Adam to call after her, asking why she was leaving the moment she arrived.

Everyone in the room looked over, everyone except Alex. His thumb had gone still on his phone, but he never lifted his head. Olivia felt a tightness in her chest.

Running into your first love was awkward enough. Their breakup had been downright ugly. Adam hurried her back inside, saying Sophie would be there any minute.

Sophie Shaw was her childhood best friend. Last month, she went on a blind date with Adam and it was love at first sight. The wedding was set for the middle of next month.

Since tonight's dinner was meant to help the bridesmaids and groomsmen get acquainted, Olivia took a long breath and walked back to the table.

The moment Olivia sat down, she noticed the glamorous woman beside Alex, Emily Summers, the girl who had grown up with him.

Even back when Olivia and Alex were dating, Emily had been openly hostile to her. Now Emily looked her up and down and sneered, "Adam, are we really letting any trash be a bridesmaid?"

The room went still. Adam was dumbstruck. Everyone turned to Emily.

Olivia's heart clenched as she looked at Alex, but he kept his gaze lowered, staring at his phone as if none of this concerned him. The light catching on his short hair only sharpened the cold distance in his handsome face.

A girl at the table frowned. "Who are you talking about?" Emily only sneered that Olivia knew exactly who she meant.

All eyes turned to Olivia. She had the kind of understated beauty that felt like a wildflower hidden deep in a valley, dark hair tied back, a clean, gentle air about her. Though she worked as a public-interest lawyer, she looked soft and harmless.

But people who knew her knew her temper was nothing like her appearance.

Normally, being called trash would've earned an immediate comeback. But Olivia knew Emily was speaking for Alex. Compared to what she'd done to him, maybe she really was trash.

Adam forced a smile. "So you all know each other? Do me a favor tonight, okay? Whatever bad blood there is, let's call it even after three drinks."

Emily scoffed. "I don't have a feud with her. Alex does. Ask him if he's willing to let it go."

Adam's smile stiffened. "Alex, you know Olivia?"

Under the table, Olivia's hands clenched into fists as the air around her suddenly felt thin.

Alex's name was called, and the fire hit him.

At last, Alex set down his phone and looked at Olivia. His eyes were cold as deepest winter. "I don't know her," he said, his voice low and stripped of all warmth.

The words hit Olivia like a blow. The instant their eyes met, she lowered her head.

She wanted to leave.