Chapter 1

Three years ago, on April Fools' Day, Andrew Lane confessed his love to me.

I looked into his warm, teasing eyes and said, "I don't joke. You have three years to marry me."

His gaze was gentle as he kissed the back of my hand and whispered, "Okay."

Today marked exactly three years.

Andrew forgot our engagement, but he didn't forget to take me along to help his close female friend, Anna Evans, move.

The moment we walked in, Anna naturally pulled a lighter from Andrew's pocket and lit his cigarette for him.

She said, "Luna, Andrew told me he doesn't like you anymore. We're together now."

Andrew exhaled a smoke ring, chuckled, and casually ruffled her hair, his voice indulgent and lazy.

"Luna, let's be civil about this. No need to make a scene. Let's part ways on good terms," Andrew said.

My eyes burned with tears. So this was how our three years together ended.

Anna and Andrew burst out laughing.

"Luna, you totally fell for it. This was a joke Andrew and I cooked up," Anna said.

She shot me a look, half-smiling, half-mocking.

"Luna, you're always so sensible. Seriously, can't you even handle an April Fool's prank?"

Andrew still didn't say a word.

But Andrew, I told you, I never joke.

*****

Anna toyed with the metal lighter in her hand, flipping the lid open and shut with a sharp click.

"Luna, don't put on such a stern face. Andrew always says you're the most poised and gracious one. Can't you even handle a joke?" Anna said.

She turned to Andrew, her fingers hooking onto the cuff of his suit.

"Andrew, look at her. She's gone pale. If I'd known it'd end up like this, I wouldn't have played along. Now I'm stuck in the middle, looking like the villain," Anna said.

Andrew stubbed out his half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray. He reached up, his fingers brushing Anna's cheek as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"That's just how she is, always so quiet and reserved. Don't bother with her," Andrew said.

Andrew turned to me, his gaze steady, carrying that familiar air of superiority.

"Luna, Anna just got back from abroad and doesn't have any friends here. It's April Fool's, so I went along with her little prank to cheer her up. Who are you making that face for?"

I stared at the lighter on the table. Last winter, I stood in the snow for three hours, freezing in ten below, to snag him that limited edition lighter. His initials were etched right on it.

Now, Anna was twirling that same lighter in her hand.

I walked over, pulled my car keys from my bag, and dropped them onto the coffee table. The metal clinked against the glass with a heavy thud.

"You guys take your time moving. I've got stuff to do, so I'm heading out," I said.

I turned and walked toward the entryway.

Behind me, I heard a chair scrape across the floor. Andrew strode over and grabbed my wrist. His fingers were long and strong, squeezing so hard it made my bones ache.

"That's enough, Luna," Andrew said.

His voice was low, edged with impatience.

"Anna's got a ton of luggage, and my car can't fit it all. Stay and use your car to help move some of her stuff. We're all going out for a welcome dinner tonight."

I lowered my gaze, staring at his fingers locked tightly around my wrist.

"I had my car cleaned yesterday. I don't want to haul anyone else's stuff," I said.

Anna walked over from the living room, holding a bottle of water. She twisted the cap off, handed it to Andrew, then glanced at me.

"Luna, are you disgusted by me? My luggage is clothes and books, nothing dirty. If you really don't want to help, that's fine. Andrew, I'll rent a moving van. Don't make things hard for Luna," she said.

Anna lowered her head, her shoulders shrinking in.

Andrew took the water, drank a sip, then let go of my wrist and wrapped his arm around Anna's shoulders.

"Forget the van. Luna, hand over your keys and take a cab home," he said.

I lifted my head and stared right into Andrew's eyes. There was nothing there, no emotion, just that unyielding command.

"The car belongs to me," I replied.

Andrew gave a soft laugh, pulled a black card from his pocket, and tossed it onto the shoe cabinet.

"Take this card and pick up a new car tomorrow. Let Anna have your old one; she just got back and doesn't have a ride, so it'll make things easier for her," Andrew said.

Anna waved her hands frantically.

"No way, Andrew, that's way too much. I really can't take Luna's car," she protested.

"She hardly ever drives it anyway," Andrew said, glancing at me. "Luna, it's just a car. Didn't you always want that Porsche? Just go buy it."

I ignored the black card completely. I bent down and put on my heels.

"The keys are on the table. Suit yourselves," I said.

I pushed the door open and walked out. The door closed behind me, shutting out Andrew and Anna's voices.

I walked to the elevator and pressed the down button. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw a new message on the screen.

[Ms. Hart, your one-way ticket to Northbridge has been issued. Departure is scheduled for tomorrow at 2:00 PM.]

I tapped the lock screen and slipped my phone back into my pocket.