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“Protecting me?”Her eyes widen as she wipes blood away from the man's face. “You’re insane.”

“Tell him the truth.” I narrow my brows and stare at her. “The sooner we—”

“Stop!” Her hands shake and tears fall fast and heavy.

Shit.

“Just stop,” she squeaks.

Fuck.

“Princess,” I reach for her, but she steps away, her arm linked in the man that her father chose, as the scent of copper covers the lavender in her hair. “Just give me one minute, Evie. Just one.”

She drags in a staggered breath as she stares toward the man I’ve fucked up.

“Evie,” he barks, “get in the car. This guy’s a nutjob.”

Evie glances back toward me, her normally bright eyes dim with something dark and tired.

She mouths the words I’m sorry and steps out into the rainy Wednesday night linked into the arm of another man. A man she didn’t choose but was chosen for her. A man that doesn’t share the memories we’ve shared. A man that doesn’t have to be a secret. A man that looks like a slice of pie would be beneath him.

I stare at her, our bodies speaking words our lips can’t say, our hearts talking in a language no one else can understand. I never thought of myself as vulnerable. Never thought I was the kind of guy that could be haunted by a woman. But as Evie turns to walk out the door, my future flashes in front of me, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’ll be seeing a ghost everywhere I go.

Chapter Two

Evie

I pull into the first spot on the left side of the parking lot. It’s not marked as mine, but it’s mine. I’ve parked here every morning for the past five years and I swear people subconsciously avoid the space. Even my sister Grace knows well enough to stay away, and she’s really into bugging the hell out of me.

“Did you forget about the rose delivery we got this morning? They’re miniature roses. They’re gonna go bad sitting outside.” Her tone is curt and aggressive, but I don’t take it personally. She’s always been like this. I think it’s her way of dealing with the rest of our oppressive life.

“Yes, Grace. I saw it. You know you could bring them in too. I’ve been busy making arrangements for the wedding all morning.”

Her eyes roll to the side and she stares at me as though I’ve lost my mind. It’s not a new look. It’s one I get all the time lately. “What are you doing?”

I bite back a smile and shake my head, carefully adjusting the space between a few lilies and some greenery. “What areyoudoing?”

She sits on the bench next to me as I continue to work. “I mean it. What are you doing? Are you really happy?”

I drag in a deep breath as I move the flowers around and around, trying to find the perfect spot for a button pom. “Yeah,” my stomach aches as the words leave my lips.

“That wasn’t convincing,” Grace presses. “I’m serious. Dad has been pushing this wedding since day one, but you’ve managed to drag it out for five years. That doesn’t sound like someone who’s sure of what she wants.”

Sometimes when I think about the years, the math doesn’t track. How could it have been five years since I last talked to him? Five years since I last felt his touch? Five years since I shared a slice of pie with a man I knew deep down was my forever?

My chest aches as I slide the green pom into place. “I’m sure Leon is the right guy for me. He’s smart, he’s successful, and he makes me happy.”

Grace laughs and glances around the room as though we’re putting on a play for a crowd. “And that’s bullshit, folks. Complete and udder bullshit.”

“How is that bullshit?” My chest tightens as I speak. I know it’s bullshit, but I don’t understand how my sister knows it’s bullshit. I don’t tell anyone about the arguments Leon and I have or about the way he treats me behind closed doors. Talking about it out loud would make everything so complicated.

“I know who Leon is, Evie. I’m not stupid. Dad always picks the same guys.”

“What are you talking about?” I turn back to the cooler and set the vase onto the wire shelf before returning my attention back to the second arrangement.

“Do we really have to pretend that Leon isn’t treating you like shit? I mean, I know you think you’re being quiet about it, but I saw him hitting on that girl when we all went to dinner last weekend.” Her brows narrow as she says, “What was that about?”

I shrug it off as I gather a group of lilies in my hand. It helps to work with the shorter stems first and remove any excess leaves. “It was nothing. He’s… it’s fine. Really.”

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