Chapter 1

One day, after I gave myself to Atticus Sterling, my brother, Bennett Harrington, suddenly asked me out for dinner.

I looked at Atticus, who not long ago had whispered promises of loving me forever in my ear, and my eyes stung with tears.

Right then, he was blushing as he peeled shrimp for another girl.

Bennett had no idea what had gone on between the two of us and asked me with a smile, "Are you jealous? Ready to start dating someone?"

I held back my tears and nodded with a smile. "Yeah, Bennett. They've been saying there's a really nice guy they want to set me up with, haven't they? I agree."

Atticus's fork suddenly clattered to the floor.

*****

The waiter quickly came over to clean up the shattered porcelain.

Bennett shot him a puzzled look. "Atticus, can't even hold your plate steady now that you've got a girlfriend?"

The panic on Atticus Sterling's face vanished in an instant, as I'd just imagined it. He stayed cool, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah."

Sophia Ashford glanced at him shyly, her eyes shimmering. "Quit teasing," she said.

Atticus leaned back, his hand draped lightly over the back of Sophia's chair. She looked as if she was nestled comfortably in his arms.

Atticus gazed down at her, his expression openly adoring. "Not happy with what I said, huh?" he teased.

Sophia pouted and gave him a mock-annoyed shove.

Bennett covered his face and groaned, "Seriously, you two? This is too much. I can't even look."

I just kept my head down, focusing on my food and pretending not to notice anything. I didn't realize Atticus kept glancing my way every so often.

Bennett picked up the conversation from earlier. "Abigail, were you actually serious about what you just said? If you're not joking, next time I'll really call up that guy Elliott and set you two up."

I instinctively gripped my spoon tighter, took a sip of soup, and put on a smile. "Of course I'm serious. Seeing how Atticus and Sophia are so in love, I really want to start dating, too."

I made sure to stress the word "in love," and Atticus paused mid-spoonful.

Atticus softened his tone as he spoke to Sophia. "Hey, watch out. It's hot."

Bennett laughed, "Okay. You're old enough to start dating. I'll set you up with Elliott when we get back."

With a loud clatter, Atticus's spoon hit the table, the noise extra sharp in the quiet room.

Atticus's voice was low and tense. "Sorry, my hand slipped," he muttered.

Sophia grabbed his hand, worry written all over her face. "Did you burn yourself?" she asked.

Bennett groaned again, "Man, you two are seriously making me suffer. I shouldn't have called Abigail out for dinner at the last minute. Now the two of us are stuck here third-wheeling and watching you."

Sophia's cheeks flushed, glowing like the sunset after a rainstorm.

When dinner was almost over, Sophia got up and said she needed to use the restroom. Bennett got a call and had to move his car. For a moment, the table was just me and Atticus.

He lazily toyed with the lighter on the table, one eyebrow arched in amusement. "Abigail, you are amazing. So you've mastered the art of playing hard to get, huh?"

Even an idiot could sense the tension in his words. The bitterness I'd tried to bury came rushing back, filling my chest. My heart clenched with a sour ache, as if a giant hand was squeezing it tight.

I struggled to find my voice, forcing out a strained smile. "Oh, so you get to break the rules, but I have to play by them?" I shot back.

Atticus's lips parted, as if he wanted to say something, but before he could, Sophia showed up.

He barely managed a quick, "Don't read too much into it. Let's talk when we get home."

Without another word, he left me sitting there and went straight to Sophia.

Sophia said her advisor needed her, so she had to go back to school.

Atticus gave her a knowing nod and wrapped his arm around her waist, ready to walk her out.

Sophia cast me an apologetic look. "Abigail, we'll get going now," she said.

I shook my head and managed a smile. "It's fine."

As they left, Atticus kept looking back at me, but I just kept my eyes down, never looking up to meet his eyes.

Bennett came back after moving his car and found me sitting alone at the table, looking confused.

"Where's Atticus?" he asked. "Seriously, he was supposed to treat us today. Did he just ditch and leave us with the bill?"

I kept quiet. Bennett didn't pick up on my mood at all. He just threw on his coat and went off to settle the bill.