harp wit and a heart of gold. They had met in college and had been inseparable ever since. Sophie's loft in the West Village was a riot of color and creativity, a reflection of her vibrant

Alex?" Elena hesitated, searching for the right words. "I don't know him well enough to say. He's charming, yes, but there's something about him that makes me uneasy. And then there's Lucas..." "Lucas?" Sophie's eyebrows shot up. "Who's Lucas?" "Alex's younger brother," Elena explained, her voice softening. "We've only met a few times, but there's something about him... something real. He's kind, genuine. The opposite of Alex in many ways." Sophie's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Interesting. So, what does your heart tell you?" Elena looked down, feeling a lump in her throat. "My heart is confused, Sophie. It's telling me to run, to find a way out. But my head knows I can'