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PROLOGUE

GENIE WAINWRIGHT STARED AT HER reflection in theat the door She re up the sadness of the now-empty bride’s chamber

Just an hour ago, this room at the Jefferson Hills Country Club had been filled with revelry Six bridesmaids—Ross’s sister, Genie’s sisters, Aood friends, Shelly, Serena, and Jessica—throw in the maid of honor (her best friend Carand party before the ceremony

But that was before Aaron (Ross’s dad) called his wife out into the hallway When she came back in, she’d lost the smile she’d left with Genie had known in an instant that so

The silent isolation of the now-e her back to the present She cleared her throat and pushed aside themoment when her perfect life had ended She didn’t want to relive it again Not now Not ever

“Go away,” Genie said to the incessant knocker

“Gene, open the door” Cah the walls

Genie didn’t respond Just kept staring at herself in the mirror Her dark hair piled on top of her head still looked perfect Her blue eyes were vacant of anything, even sadness, she thought But that would come if she succumbed to the tears She had to keep thele tear over that rat-bastard fiancé of hers—make that ex fiancé

“Genie!” Caonna kick it down”

Yeah, right Genie laughed a little

“And you’ll have to pay for it,” Cami said in a firm voice

“Go for it!” Genie said softly

An instant later, there was a loud boo open

Genie jumped Her heart slammed into overdrive Cami peeked in, then disappeared back out into the hallway Seconds later, she reappeared Genie’s jaw dropped as she stared into theCath blue dress, wearing a triurin

Genie glanced over her shoulder and twisted around to look at Cami’s feet Stilettos No way had she kicked in the door in those Genie shook her head

“I warned you” Caed a chair up next to Genie “I’, she raked her light-brown hair behind her ear “Why wouldn’t you open the door for me?”

“Because I know you” Genie turned to look at her “You’ll try to cheer me up”

“Well, yeah…”

“Don’t you get it?” Genie asked “There’s nothing that you or anyone else can say that’ll make this better” It was hopeless Genie knew that Why didn’t everyone else?

“Really?” Caaze roll around the room When she settled back on Genie, she said in a tone that eventually landed in the real-ass ht to hell?”

A hint of laughter escaped before Genie could wrangle it in and shove it back down into the despair pitted in her gut