Chapter 1

Ava Miller smiled, the scent of lilies and roses filling her small New York florist shop.

She carefully selected a dozen white roses, her favorite.

Tonight was the night.

Six years.

Six years with Ethan Davis, her childhood friend, her secret love.

Tonight, she would finally tell her friends, make it official.

She imagined their surprised faces, then the happy congratulations.

A little thrill went through her.

"These are perfect, Maria," Ava said to the shop assistant.

"For a special occasion, Ms. Miller?" Maria asked, her eyes twinkling.

"Very special," Ava confirmed, her heart light.

She' d told Ethan to meet her at "The Draft House," their old favorite brewery, before heading to the restaurant.

She wanted a quiet moment with him first, to share her excitement.

Ava walked in, the familiar smell of hops and old wood greeting her.

She scanned the crowded room. No Ethan.

But she saw his friends – Mark and Sam – huddled at a corner table, laughing loudly.

Ava smiled, about to walk over.

Then she heard her name.

Mark snorted into his beer. "So, Chloe Evans is really back in town? Since when?"

Sam leaned in. "Landed yesterday. Saw her post. Ethan must be losing his mind."

"Losing his mind how? Happy, or terrified?" Mark chuckled.

"Both, probably. How's he gonna juggle Chloe and the 'stand-in' Ava?" Sam' s voice was careless, loud enough to carry.

Ava froze.

Her hand, reaching for her purse, stopped mid-air.

Mark added, "Though props to him for keeping Ava on the hook for so long, she' s quite the catch. Rich family, pretty. Comfortable."

"Comfortable is one word for it," Sam snickered. "But Chloe... Chloe' s the one. Always has been."

The words hit Ava.

Stand-in.

On the hook.

Comfortable.

The beautiful roses in her hand suddenly felt like a burden.

The excited flutter in her chest died, replaced by a cold, heavy stone.

Six years.

A lie.