. Ryan had ordered the place cleared out. He was remodeling it

d built. They were about to rip out the small lemon tree in th

to the foreman.

owards the street, where Ryan was leaning aga

to him. "Rya

s an open-concept bar there." He ended his call and looked at me, hi

ar didn't go to a motel. It drove for twenty minutes, pulling up to a secluded, high-end

oached, a slow, crue

ice like honey laced with poison. "Look at you.

h," I said, my voice steady, "what does that make the man who spent five years with me? Ma

hed. Her face t

did yo

t beside us. Stella must have called him.

g here, Gabby? Are

an!" Stella cried, her

ed with just last night, and his hand flew up. The slap was sharp, the sound ec

o my wrist, to the worn leather bracelet he'd made for me years ago. It was a memento from a time

ff and threw

one," I

lf-pitying anger. "After everything I

he absurdity of his wor