Chapter One
I stared down the street long after her vehicle had disappeared—a scene that had played itself out in eighteen seconds flat. I know because I counted. A difficult feat while holding one’s breath, but it was a necessary exercise, especially if I planned on retaining my sanity.
My best friend had just walked out of my life.
And I’d let her.
Perhaps I needed to revisit that sanity bit.
There was a lump in my throat and an ache I would not soon forget. I’d felt it before.
When Ramirez left.
What did it say about me—that the important people in my life felt they needed to leave?
Had they been given the option, would they have run, rather than walked?
Would they have left sooner?
I sucked in a breath, puffed out my cheeks, and released it before focusing on the paper Leah h
