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THERE ARE TIMES IN YOUR life when it’s like everyone and everything in the universe come together to make it happen for you. Like it was meant to be.
I really thought this was one of those times. But the man standing in front of me is dead set on ruining it.
“Graham, it’s just a kiss,” I say, feeling irritated. This is not that big of a deal. I’m pretty sure I’m not his first medical supply room tryst.
This isn’t a tryst, though. Not really.
The fluorescent lighting in the compact room casts shadows across his face, making the tension there look more daunting.
“Think of it as a favor for an old friend,” I say. I’m in too deep. I’m not giving up now.
His right eyebrow lifts, just slightly. “Are we friends?”
“Of course,” I say.
“Lucy, I—”
The rattling of the broken door handle stops him from saying whatever he was going to say, and both of our eyes snap toward it.
“This stupid thing,” a muffled voice says from outside the door, and dread instantly flows through my body. From my head to my feet. I’d know that voice anywhere; it haunts my nightmares, in fact.
Of all the people who’d try to get into this closet right now, why did it have to be her?
Graham curses under his breath. My eyes go wide, not at his words but because I’d been thinking the same ones. This is bad.
So very bad.
Lucy
Twenty-Two Hours Before the Incident
Sunday, December 31, 9:04 p.m.
From PlainJane2 to GothamGuardian5:
Well, my NYE is a bust. I mean I’ve definitely had worse. I had a date one time who ditched me at 11:55 p.m. He couldn’t even wait a measly five minutes. Ridiculous, right? Tonight I find myself alone again, this time with my family who are all coupled up. They want me to play charades. I should go home, right? I’m super competitive. My whole family is. It never ends well. What are you up to tonight?
From GothamGuardian5 to PlainJane2:
That guy sounds like an idiot. I’m not up to much myself tonight. I may go out later. If it were my family, I’d definitely leave. But they’ve never wanted to play charades before, which is too bad because I’m really good at it. Happy almost New Year, by the way.
“DON’T LEAVE, LUCY,” MY BEST friend, Morgan, says, her tone borderline petulant. She’s got a hand wrapped around my forearm like she can keep me here by brute force. But she’s a petite thing and I could take her if need be. Bring it on.
Actually, I hope she doesn’t bring it on. I’m tired.
“There’s no reason for me to stay,” I tell her, trying to yank my arm out of her freakishly strong grasp. “You’ve all got your plus-ones, and mine went to bed. I’m the lone single loser now.”
We’re standing in the foyer of my parents’ custom-built chalet, with its steeply pitched roof, exposed beams, and a wall of windows facing Aspen Lake. It was their retirement gift to themselves. Big enough for all of us to be here together for the holidays, but not big enough that any of us can move back home.
My mom’s expertly curated Christmas decorations still sit on the entryway table, and a chandelier above us casts a warm, yellowish light. The laughter from my family sitting in the living room echoes around the space.
“You’re not a loser,” Morgan says.
“Well ... you’re kind of a loser,” my brother Ryan, who’s standing next to her, pipes in, and I give him my best glare. Nose scrunched, eyes squinting, lips slightly puckered.
“And you were an accident,” I say to him, dropping my scowl and giving him a very poignant upward lift of my chin. I love to bring up the fact that Ryan was never in my parents’ family plans. But he showed up unexpectedly, much like he does so often in my life.
Ryan lifts his shoulders and lets them drop. “Mom and Dad’s favorite accident,” he replies.
