Chapter 1
Years after we all graduated, Ryder Kane had basically conquered the world-at least our corner of it.
At our ten-year reunion, someone decided to play cupid:
“Yo Ryder, remember your little stalker from freshman year? She was practically glued to your hip!”
“And since you’re both flying solo these days, maybe it’s time to stop being strangers?”
He slowly lifted his left hand, flashing this ice-cold smile:
“I’m actually married.”
The whole table went dead silent.
I was the only one who didn’t react, just kept staring into my wine glass.
What I couldn’t figure out was why the hell Ryder was still wearing that wedding ring.
After all, we’d been divorced for three years.
We were halfway through the reunion when our class president burst in:
“Guys, look who finally showed up!”
Everyone turned to look, and I felt my breath catch.
Three years later, Ryder looked more mature. When he greeted everyone, there was this quiet confidence about him now. Word was he’d just made Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list-worth millions before thirty.
While everyone caught up, I kept scrolling through my phone. I watched Ryder take the seat across from me. His eyes swept past me without stopping.
I noticed the snowflakes on his black peacoat though. Chicago winters never changed.
My phone kept buzzing. The girl next to me laughed:
“Jessa, is that your boyfriend checking up on you?”
She’d always been loud. I glanced at Ryder-he was talking to someone else, totally unbothered.
I shook my head: “Just my mom. She found another guy on Match for me to meet.”
We were all pushing thirty now. Some had settled down, but most of us were dealing with the same family pressure.
The girls started venting:
“My mom’s posting my profile on every dating app like I’m livestock at auction.”
“Jessa, hate to say it, but all the decent guys got picked off in college.”
Then this heavy-set guy suddenly stood up and pointed at Ryder:
“Dude! Remember your little shadow from Northwestern?”
He was clearly drunk. When Ryder didn’t respond, he kept going:
“Jessa Mills! The one who left you notes in your locker and asked you to prom in front of the whole cafeteria!”
I finally recognized him-our old student body treasurer. He’d always loved playing matchmaker:
“Since you’re both still single, why not give it a shot?”
Everyone’s eyes were suddenly on us.
Chapter 1
After all these years, they still remembered our story and wanted to see how it would end.
Ryder finally looked directly at me.
When our eyes met, he slowly raised his left hand with that cold smile:
“I’m married.”
The words hit like a bomb.
Everyone erupted:
“When did you get married? Why didn’t you tell us?”
“You kept that totally secret! Never even posted any photos on Insta!”
In all the chaos, I was the only one who kept quiet, just staring down at my drink.
I couldn’t figure out why Ryder was still wearing that ring.
After all, we’d been divorced for three years.
