gripping the steering wheel so t

turn shades of amber and gold. Autumn had always been my favorite seaso

d become a place I never thought I'd see again. But here I was, driving pa

ucas and I used to spen

e got caught in the r

he kissed me fo

n the reason I was here. Emma's wedding. T

he house looked the same-warm, welcoming, a place filled with childhood memori

door swung open, and Emm

me so tightly I could barely breathe. "I was mentally

. "You really think I'd miss

-so much like mine-searching my

her

n, Mom and Dad are dying to see you. An

ances. My parents greeted me with warm hugs, acting as if I hadn't vanished from town for three year

toward the backyard, an

essed in a crisp white button-down with h

y presence before even seeing me. His expression w

for this moment, convi

asn

crackling in the air, beamed. "

forcing a neutral

ling a smirk, but there was something els

y name sent a shi

d once.

finally caugh

idea what was

-

could kill, I'd b

while Emma chatted away, completely oblivious. The sounds of laughter and clinkin

as, standing just a few feet away, looking both impo

s, I don't have to introduce you." She grinned, nudging my arm. "Wh

"What do

lips, watching me with quiet

dropped. "Y

"Claire, Andrew and Lucas are best

f me had hoped Lucas would be too busy, t

universe wasn't

vious to the silent war happening between me and my ex-husba

ed. Lucas

tas

She's inside-be right back!" And just like that, she disappeared into

The silence stretched between us, thic

lightly, his eyes flickering

my arms. "

ss that means we'll be

g my voice even. "We don'

what a

tever this is. We're here for Emma and Andrew, so let

rds. Then, with that same unreadable

spicious, but before I could question it, Emm

s sister," she said, beaming. "And

with a polite smile

ssion-something sharp, assessing. "So you're Claire," she mu

d. "Hav

efly to Lucas before she shrug

t him. Instead, I kept my expression carefully ne

was something in her eyes

we'll f

was going to be a lot more co

as Montgomery would be

HOR

Isla as Claire is her nickname and also s