Part One
Warm-Up
Chapter One
The Worst Engagement Party Ever
Amy
There were three acceptable reasons to attend your ex-girlfriend’s engagement party.
One: you had remained close friends after an emotionally mature separation and sincerely wanted to celebrate her happiness.
Two: you shared custody of a beloved pet and needed to preserve diplomatic relations.
Three: you had suffered a head injury serious enough to compromise your judgment.
I had none of those excuses. What I had was a navy-blue dress, a color-coded exit strategy, and a best friend standing in my bedroom doorway eating dry cereal from a mug.
“You know,” Tessa said, “we could still fake food poisoning.”
I kept my attention on the mirror as I adjusted the thin silver chain around my neck. “Food poisoning generally requires symptoms.”
“I’m a nurse. I can create believable symptoms.”
“That is not reassuring.”
“It wasn’t meant to be.”
The clasp refused to cooperate. I tried it again, the tiny piece of metal slipping between my fingers.
Tessa set down her mug and came behind me. “You’re shaking.”
“I’ve had too much coffee.”
“You’ve had one cup.”
“It was strong.”
“It was the same coffee you drink every morning.”
I met her eyes in the mirror. “Are you planning to conduct a full investigation, or could you help me with this?”
She fastened the necklace and rested both hands on my shoulders. Tessa Kim had the kind of face that revealed every thought she had, most of which involved other people’s business. Her oversized green sweatshirt and mismatched avocado-and-skull socks suggested she had dressed during a minor earthquake.
I had dressed exactly as planned: fitted navy dress, low heels, shoulder-length dark hair, and makeup that showed effort without suggesting the effort had been for anyone in particular.
Especially not Evelyn.
“You don’t have to go,” Tessa said.
“I already accepted.”
“You can unaccept.”
“That isn’t a word.”
“It is when the invitation comes from a woman who cheated on you.”
