Chapter 2

• SAVANNAH
• Eleven years ago...
• “Excuse me, Ms. Morris,” Mr. Ward interrupted our literature class. “I need Ms. Gibson at the main entrance.”
• I checked the clock. There were only thirty minutes left before the period ended. Did I do something wrong? Or did Michael come home? But my brother said he wouldn’t be home until Thanksgiving.
• I excused myself to my literature teacher and followed Mr. Ward to the main entrance.
• No one was there.
• “Mr. Ward?”
• “These kids.” He shook his head. “Well, look at that.”
• I wasn’t sure what he was referring to while looking at the wall until I pictured a drawing of a huge pink heart. It had my name scribbled unsightly in the center.
• I love you, Savannah Gibson.
• My mouth dropped. What the hell?
• “Who do you think did this?” my teacher asked.
• I shook my head. “I have nothing to do with this.”
• “Yes, but this is your name. If you can’t point out anyone, you might as well take responsibility.”
• “But, sir—”
• “No buts, Ms. Gibson.” Mr. Ward scowled at the ugly scribblings one more time and left.
• How was I supposed to clean this? Thankfully, it was just chalk.
• Sofia, one of my best friends, burst out a laugh when I showed her the vandal. I’d known her since middle school, just like Wesley and Riley. She was the only person I knew who could eat so many sweets in one sitting. I noticed she gained extra pounds again, but I always thought Sofia was one of the prettiest in school.
• “These guys have no shame,” she complained, but she helped me clean up anyway.
• This wasn’t the first time I got humiliated in front of the school body because of a stupid love confession. The last time was when Jack broadcasted his big crush on me on the school radio, hoping I’d date him.
• “I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”
• “Or you could just ask Mrs. Ridge to help us,” Sofia said, referring to the custodian.
• “I don’t want to bother her for this. Mr. Ward said to take responsibility.”
• “You’re just kind.” She soaked the rag in the bubbles and then squeezed the water out. “Why don’t you just date one of your suitors so the others stop?”
• “No.” I halted. “You know who I really like.”
• “Oh, come on. Edward Reed? He’s like everyone’s first love, you know.”
• “Well, not you, at least. But you support me, right? He’ll be the best guy to go to prom with.”
• “Y-yeah, but in case you’ve forgotten, he needs to ask you.”
• I pouted. “You’re kinda mean.”
• “It’s the truth. Hey, why aren’t you cleaning?”
• I picked up from where I left off. “I really like him, though.”
• “What you need is a boyfriend and move on.”
• “She’s right,” another voice joined in and was actually Edward himself. My first love.
• I thought my heart just skipped a beat.
• “Edward.”
• “Sorry about that.” He walked closer and snatched the rags from my hand. “It’s my friends. They did this, so this is on me.”
• I gaped at him and glanced at Sofia. Did I hear him right?
• Sofia rolled her eyes. “How virtuous of you!”
• Edward only smiled at my friend. “I actually came to apologize. They did this because of what I told them.”
• “You told them to write this?” I asked. Did he perhaps... No, no. That couldn’t be happening.
• “I didn’t ask them to write this, but I told them about you. I’m sorry,” he explained.
• Was that a confession? “What?”
• “He’s basically saying he likes you,” Sofia inserted, annoyed.
• “Pretty much that,” Edward confirmed. “Thanks, Sofia.”
• I touched my chest, breathless. “I don’t know what to say.”
• “But I’m here now to ask you.” Edward massaged the back of his head, chuckling. “So, Savannah, can you hear me out?”
• Of course! I was waiting for this. I didn’t think he’d actually talk to me.
• My heartbeat sped up the longer I stared at his handsome face. Edward was above six feet. He had two dimples, dark brown hair, and mesmerizing gray eyes. And damn, that leather jacket and motorbike behind him. It made him look hotter. I wondered why I still hadn’t fainted.
• I chortled nervously. “Y-yes, what is it?”
• “I’m not sure if someone already asked you, but will you be my date to prom?”
• I grinned. “Absolutely!”
• This was the day I knew Edward Reed was my destiny.
• Was he?
• NOW
• My brother, Michael Gibson, had lived alone in our house in Clinton Hill when I married and moved out. He was the one who raised me since our dad passed away when I was in 5th grade. He just turned thirty-six and had a girlfriend whom I thought he would marry, but they broke up last month.
• Michael and I didn’t share the same blood. He was adopted before I was born, but he was the best brother I knew. He sympathizesd with me whenever I was hurt and scolded me when I was wrong. I grew up with his virtues. He worked hard to provide for both of us, to give me a good life. He taught me everything, so I owe him a lot. He even cried when he walked me to the altar. This was why it was important to me to tell him about Edward. He would understand me.
• “Why didn’t you call? I could’ve prepared dinner.” Michael put two cups of hot chocolate on the table.
• “Thanks, but I already ate. I lost my phone today, so I couldn’t call.” I didn’t want to answer any calls from anyone anyway.
• He sat at the head of the table. “What happened?”
• My lips trembled. I didn’t know how to start. “Can I, um—” I swallowed dryly “—stay here? Just for a few days.”
• “Why?” He frowned. “What’s wrong?”
• “Edward, he...” I took a deep breath. “He filed for divorce. I can’t tell you the details because I don’t know what to say.”
• He clenched his jaw and fist in unison. “If I see his face, I’ll shove the divorce papers in his ass and make sure he won’t be able to walk his whole life. Do you want me to talk to him?”
• I wiped my face down to my chin. “It’s not worth it. It’s already happening.”
• “And you’re just giving up?”
• “He gave up first. So... I just need a place for now. I don’t want to see his face.”
• “Well, this is your home too.”
• “Thank you.” I hugged him, rested my head on his shoulder, and relaxed in his arms.
• After that long and deep agony, I went to my room.
• Michael kept it as it was before I moved out. He cleaned it once a week and changed the sheets in case I visited. I didn’t have a spacious room, huge wardrobe, or bathroom like I had in Manhattan, but this was where I always belonged.
• “Will you be okay?” my brother asked, standing at my door.
• I smiled at him. “Of course. I slept in this room my whole life.”
• “Hey, um. Has he brought this up before?”
• “The divorce?” I shook my head, preventing myself from tearing up. “It sounds like it’s really over, huh?”
• “Look, Savi.” He stepped into my room and sat next to me. “You’re strong and smart, so you know what’s wrong and what is right. A faithful man will never leave his wife.”
• “Hey.” I held his hand. “I’m sorry about you and Jane.” His girlfriend left him too for someone else.
• He hooked an arm on my shoulder and pecked on my temple. “It’ll pass. Get some sleep.”
• “Thanks. Good night.”
• ***
• I woke up early the following day. It’d been a few months since my brother and I had breakfast together.
• “You have a nine o’clock?” I asked as we ate. My brother was already dressed in a luxurious caramel suit. Michael was a historian and literature professor.
• “Mm.” He nodded, sipping his coffee. “We have a special event today, and the dean chose me to meet the exchange students.”
• “Of course he did. You don’t just speak five foreign languages. You have two PhDs.” Our dad, Frederick Gibson, practically hired language tutors for us to learn Spanish, French, Italian, and a bit of Mandarin. It was boring as hell, but I was proud of it.
• He smiled. “Did you sleep well?”
• “I never felt more rested.” I sniffed the coffee and took a small sip. “There’s no place like home. By the way... I’m quitting work.”
• “You said you loved that job.”
• “Yes! I enjoy what I do there. The pay is good and I’ve learned a lot. But you said it, right? If Edward really loved me, he wouldn’t leave.”
• “Have you told him?”
• “No. What for?” I felt it wasn’t meant to be. At least not anymore. It still hurts because I did love him. I wasn’t sure if I was still in love with him, but he had already decided. He could’ve just told me what had gone wrong, or he was seeing someone else, but he insulted me. There was no more reason to stay in his aunt’s company.
• “Sure. You’re overqualified for that job anyway. You graduated with honors.”
• “That’s why I’m going to see Riley and Wes today. I want to ask Wes if the position he offered me is still open.” I wiggled my shoulders in excitement. Sebastian Entertainment was one of the largest entertainment studio conglomerates in the US—even bigger than New Star.
• “If that’s what you want, I’m sure you’ll get it.” He nodded in approval and continued eating his breakfast.