“But…but w-why? Is there someone else?” The thought stabbed her in the chest like a dagger. “I’m afraid I do.” Her voice was low and shaky, yet there was conviction in her tone too. “You don’t mean that!”Ībby looked at her with a grave expression. “W-what? D-did you just say…?”Ī whooshing sound started to pulse in Claire’s ears. She swayed and grabbed hold of the stool. “But I’m not in love with you anymore,” Abby added. “Which is a good thing since we’re planning to get married.” For the first time in seven years, Claire couldn’t read the look in the familiar blue irises. “I want to make sure everything is perfect.”Ībby squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them again. I’ve tried to talk to you all day, but you haven’t sat still even for a second.” That strange sense of dread niggled at the back of Claire’s mind again. “Can we talk in the kitchen for a second?”Īfter one last glance back at the buffet table to make sure everything was the way she wanted it, Claire nodded and followed her.Ībby pulled out a stool from the kitchen island. “I know, but I…” Abby’s gaze darted to the bartender and to the cellist they had hired to provide unobtrusive background music. “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you dressed yet? Our guests will be arriving any moment.” She turned around.Ībby stood in the middle of their dining room, her back ramrod straight, her face pale, and the cocktail dress Claire had picked out for her to wear to the party suspiciously absent.Ĭlaire tensed. Nothing unpleasant was allowed to intrude. It was the day of their engagement party. Something in Abby’s tone made the hairs on Claire’s neck stand on end, but she shook off the feeling. “Can you see if the bartender has everything he needs?” “One second, honey.” Claire slid the flower arrangement in the middle of the table more to the right. They make it sound as if something bad is going on.” I just told my listeners never to start conversations with their spouses using those four little words. “You might want to check out my latest podcast, honey. She threw a glance over her shoulder and laughed. “We need to talk,” Abby said from somewhere behind her.Ĭlaire barely heard her over the rattle of plates she was stacking on the buffet table. Your enthusiasm for my stories and my characters keeps me writing.

Last but certainly not least, thank you to my readers.

Thanks also to my editor, Robin Samuels, to my proofreader, Laina Villeneuve, and to Glendon for the great cover. Anne-France, Christiane, Claire, Danielle, Erin, Trish, and Melanie, you are worth your weight in ice cream! First and foremost, I want to thank my wonderful team of beta readers, who are reading every chapter as I go.

While my name is on the cover, writing and publishing a book is always a team effort.

Just for show by jae