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Prologue

It’s when I’ to the back office that I feel it The shift in the air It’s subtle—a ghost of a chill that flickers downh the open door

I don’t see hi, free-falling throughme in place

This isn’t happening

This cannot be happening

“Alina! I was starting to wonder if you would even show up,” ina, says as she shtly so I should respond, but I don’t I’m not sure I physically can since my heart has stalled in my chest

Chase Adams

I’d love him if I didn’t hate him so much

There’s a pencil behind his ear, a blueprint rolled up in his hand, and another laid out on the desk But he isn’t looking at that He’s locked on h his silky, dark hair

He ss, and my traitorous eyes track the way his throat bobs “Goldi”

The nickname travels across the roo me out of my shock “Don’t call me that”

He sucks in a breath, but clamps his mouth shut and nods

“You two know each other?” Regina points between the two of us

Chase starts to answer “Yeah, actually we used—”

“Our folks are neighbors,” I interrupt “We grew up together, but no I never really knew him”