Chapter 1The Runaways

My brother and I are professional simps.

He’s obsessed with a cold, ascetic CEO. I’ve been secretly in love with the city’s brooding "Crown Prince" for years.

Then, the news broke: both of our crushes were getting engaged to other people.

My brother and I stared at each other in silence for a long time. Then we ran away.

Later, hiding out on a tropical island, we were tracked down by two very angry, very powerful men.

That’s when I found out my idiot brother had posted a status update right before we fled:

[Me and my sister are off to start our new life together. Incest is wincest! Bye, losers!]

* * *

When I heard Julian was getting engaged, my brain short-circuited.

I thought I was prepared for this. I knew he was out of my league. But when the day actually came, I realized I couldn't lie to myself anymore. It hurt.

Maybe it was because we’d gotten closer recently. Just last week, we went to a symphony together.

It was his favorite orchestra. I begged a friend for tickets and nervously asked him if he wanted to go. I even had a speech prepared: If you don't want to go with me, you can take the tickets and go with someone else.

But Julian said yes.

I was floating on pink clouds. I did my makeup, wore my best dress, and memorized facts about Mozart.

And then... I fell asleep.

I had been too excited to sleep the night before. Ten minutes into the second movement, I was out cold.

Not just dozing—I was drooling on Julian’s shoulder for a solid thirty minutes.

If the applause hadn't woken me up, I probably would have started snoring.

I looked at Julian, mortified. He was rubbing his shoulder.

"I am so sorry... is your arm dead?"

"It's fine," Julian laughed, looking amused. "Not dead yet."

We walked out of the concert hall. Just as we reached the exit, someone called his name.

A gorgeous girl ran up to us. "Julian! It really is you!" She looked thrilled. "Are you here alone?"

"Hey, Chloe." Julian gestured to me with his chin. "I'm here with her."

Chloe looked at me with bright, curious eyes. "Hi! Are you Julian's girlfriend?"

My brain, still foggy from the nap, rebooted slowly. Julian didn't say anything. He just looked at me.

I decided honesty was the best policy.

"No," I said, shaking my head. "Just a friend."

Julian’s expression didn't change.

Chloe didn't press. Instead, she turned back to Julian. "Did you drive? My ride bailed halfway through. Can you drop me off? We live close anyway."

Ouch. They were close.

Julian looked down at me. "Is that okay?"

Chloe looked hopeful.

"Sure," I said. "Of course."

"Okay then." Julian started walking. "Let's go."

"Wait—" I called out. "I just remembered I need to stop at Target. You guys go ahead."

I didn't need anything from Target. I just didn't want to be the third wheel in his car.

Julian stopped. His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Are you sure? You're okay with me taking her home alone?"

"Yeah, totally!" I waved, pretending to be breezy. "Bye!"

"Right." Julian turned around. Before he walked away, he dropped one last sentence.

"Sarah, you're very generous."

I had a feeling I messed up. After that night, his texts were cold. I didn't know how to fix it, so I stopped texting first.

Then came the engagement news.

I bought a six-pack of beer and sat in my backyard, trying to drown my sorrows like a character in a sad movie.

Halfway through the second bottle, a voice boomed behind me.

"HOLY SHIT!"

My brother, Sam, looked horrified. "You're drinking?! Did you forget graduation night when two glasses of wine made you puke on my shoes?"

Me: "..."

Sam continued, "What could possibly be this bad? Don't tell me you're heartbroken over Julian getting hitched!"

Me: "..."

Me: "Yes."

Sam: "..."