Page 1 of Guarded from Sabotage

CHAPTER ONE

SARAH

The sense of foreboding comes out of nowhere.

There’s no reason for it; not on a day like this.

It’s one of those gorgeous days that makes me glad I moved from upstate New York to San Antonio. Seventy degrees and sunny; I can wear short-sleeved shirts and skirts instead of the wool sweaters and winter coats that used to accompany the start of winter.

This morning, I texted a selfie of myself to my best friend, Hanna, of me grinning on my little back porch, the sun shining and the sky a brilliant blue, with all my potted plants lush and green behind me. A minute later, she sent back a photo of the view from her window—brown grass, barren trees, and a few patches of dingy snow—and a message.

OK, you have us beat there! But just wait until we get more snow. Then you’ll wish you still lived in NY.

In the beginning, Iwashomesick for the snowy winters. It didn’t feel right to see grass in February instead of a thick blanket of white. I missed bundling up in my mom’s handmade hat and mittens, tromping through the cold, breathing in air so crisp and clean I could feel it.

For a while, I’d wondered if I made the right decision moving here.

Following my now-ex-fiance, Tanner, to San Antonio so he could complete his residency meant leaving everything I knew behind. My best friend. The cute apartment in Pine Hills that I’d lived in for years, close to parks and restaurants and just a ten-minute trip to my work. The weekends I’d spend up in Lake George with Hanna, watching movies and drinking wine and making charcuterie platters big enough to serve an army.

But I was in love, and I thought Tanner was my future.

A year and a half later, neither of those things is true anymore.

It was hard—beyond hard, really—when everything fell apart six months ago. Even though things hadn’t been good with Tanner for a while, I was still clinging to the hope I could somehow make things work.

Then the real truth came out, and there was no coming back from it.

Six months ago, I considered throwing in the towel and moving back to New York again. But I’ve never been a quitter, and I wasn’t about to start because of a man who didn’t deserve me. So I buckled down and found myself a new apartment, a new job so I wouldn’t have to see my ex at work all the time, and committed to making the best of my new life.

It wasn’t easy, but I think I’ve done a pretty good job of it.

I scoured thrift shops and estate sales to find the perfect decor for my little apartment, and now it looks bright and eclectic instead of sad and rundown like it did when I moved in. And I found new spots to get lattes and muffins and the best authentic Mexican—another plus for Texas—where I wouldn’t chance running into Tanner or any of his friends.

I found a new job at a community services center, helping children at risk, and it’s much more rewarding than my old job at the hospital.

And I’ve even made new friends, though none of them will replace Hanna. But it’s still nice to have someone to run out to lunch with or meet up after work for happy hour.

Does that mean everything in my life is perfect? Hardly. But whose is?

I have a home, a good job, loving parents, and friends. I even go jogging sometimes when the weather is nice, or run on my second hand treadmill when it’s not. And I’ve been stopping by the local shelter lately, debating if it’s finally time to get a pet of my own.

“Hey, Sarah?” A light rapping sounds at my half-open door. Raya peeks her head into my office. “Are you still up for grabbing lunch?”

“Yes. Definitely.” I lock my computer and push away from my desk. “I’m starving. Where do you want to go?”

Another thing to add to the pro column of living in Texas—my coworker and new friend, Raya. We’re still in that getting-to-know-you stage, where we have lunch and the occasional drink after work, but we don’t talk about deeply personal things like I do with Hanna. And honestly, that’s okay with me. I have a best friend. I don’t need another one.

“I was thinking we could go to that new sandwich place?” Raya flicks her long, black ponytail over her shoulder, and I’m envious of her hair all over again. My hair is a shade of brown I generously describe as bronze and it likes to frizz at the slightest hint of humidity. It’ll never be sleek and dark and gleaming like hers without hours of styling.

Since my morning routine consists of a rushed shower and five minutes of grooming, it’s unlikely that’s ever going to happen. Tanner used to encourage me to spend more time onmy appearance, saying things like,have you ever thought about highlightsandyou know, if you set your alarm earlier, you’d have more time to do your hair and makeup. He even offered to take me shopping at Sephora.

I never told Hanna any of that, because deep down, I think I knew what her reaction would be. But I told myself,Tanner’s a good guy, he loves me, and he’s even a doctor. He dedicates his life to healing people. If he makes a few bothersome comments, it’s no big deal.

Or maybe it was a red flag I willfully ignored.

Anyway. That’s in the past. There’s no point in hanging onto things that aren’t a part of my life anymore.

“The sandwich place sounds great,” I reply as I grab my purse off the back of my chair. “I was checking out their menu, and they have a chicken and avocado club that looks delicious.”

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