I’ve been back in New York for less than two hours. It feels as though I was away for longer than five days.

When I entered my tiny apartment, the air trapped inside was tainted by the nail polish remover I had used before I left, and clothes hung from furniture.

I fling the windows open first to allow fresh air to enter, then hang the clothes in my secret closet, which is tucked into the wall and concealed by a full-length mirror that also serves as a door. It’s the perfect solution for a small apartment.

The doorbell rings as I close the mirrored closet door. I’m not expecting any friends and Winston had mentioned he’d be tied up in meetings all day.

After the way things ended when he showed up in Misty Cove two days ago, it was kind of a relief not to see him immediately when I got back.

We did talk over the phone after he returned to New York, but our conversations were short and strained.

We should be happy, in love, and enjoying our engagement. But I can’t get myself to get excited anymore.

The person ringing the bell is Sonia Thompson, a nice secretary from the Slade finance department. We used to hang out when I worked there.

I buzz her in, excited to see her again. I haven’t seen her since I left the company.

At the distant ding of the elevator, I open the door and wait for her in my doorway. The moment she emerges from the long, narrow hallway, I light up.

She’s one of those people who never seem to experience a bad mood, and I think she’s cute. Her small frame and pixie cut always remind me of a fairy.

She’s carrying a bottle of champagne, which she raises in the air the closer she comes to the door. When she gets to me, she gives me a hug. She smells like fresh laundry.

“Hey, what a lovely surprise.” I break the embrace and let her in. “Why aren’t you at the office? It’s only eleven.”

“I had a doctor’s appointment.” She drops her jeans handbag on a chair by the door.

“Are you not feeling well?” I close the door.

“Actually, I only needed a doctor’s note. I’m pretending to be sick.” A hand flies to her mouth. “Oh shit. I forgot you’re the boss’s fiancée.”

I laugh. “Don’t worry about it. I’m still Jenna. Nothing has changed. I won’t breathe a word to anyone.”

“Thanks for that.” She winks.

As I watch her, I realize the words I told her didn’t feel right on my tongue. I wish it were true that I’m not changing, but I kind of am.

Every time I’m in Winston’s presence, a part of me seems to disappear. I’m afraid I’m becoming someone else, someone I don’t want to be.

I wave a hand to the living room couch. “Have a seat. Should I bring you something to drink?”

“Just bring two champagne glasses. I came to celebrate with you.” She hugs the bottle to her body.

“To celebrate what?” I smack my forehead. “Oh, my engagement?”

“Of course, silly.” She flashes me her pearly whites.

The last thing I want to talk about is the wedding, and I have a feeling she’s going to want all the details.

After the fight with Winston, he’s also the last person I want to think about. That’s why I told him I will not be able to see him today. What I didn’t say is that I need the time alone to decide exactly what I want.

It’s not that I don’t want to marry him, I still do, but it might be a good idea for us to have a long engagement in order to sort out our differences. Right now I feel like I’m engaged to a stranger.

“You’re not mad that I didn’t tell you about him, are you?” I stride to the kitchenette and remove two champagne flutes from the top cupboard. I place them on the coffee table in front of Sonia.

“Of course I was a little upset that you didn’t feel you could confide in me. According to the papers you’ve been seeing each other for a few months.”

I sink onto the couch next to her. “I’m sorry.” I chew the corner of my lip. “I really wanted to tell you. I didn’t even tell my sister. Winston wanted it to be kept a secret.”

“Don’t apologize. I can understand why he felt the need to keep his love life secret. He’s not just anybody.” She crosses her slim legs. “The question is, why don’t you look excited? Is something wrong?”

“Of course not.” I plaster on a smile. “I’m a little tired, that’s all. I’ve been away for a while. I’m sure you can tell from the state of this place. We were in the Maldives and then in Misty Cove.”

“The Maldives? Wow, I’m so jealous.” She grabs my arm. “That must have been romantic.”

“It...yeah, it was.”

“Your family really didn’t know you were seeing him, before you got engaged?”

I shake my head. “No one did. We kept it just between us.”

“How did they react to the good news?” Sonia pops the bottle of champagne open, her eyes still on my face.

“My parents are super excited. You’d think they’re the ones marrying him.”

“It must’ve been hard keeping the yummy secret to yourself, especially since you’re dating one of the most eligible bachelors in the world.”

“It was tough. I’m not good at keeping things from my family. Especially my sister.”

“Anyway, that’s the past. Right now, I’m excited for you. You hit the jackpot, girl.” She nudges me with an elbow. “Now that the cat is out of the bag, you have to tell me how he is in bed. I want to know everything.” She pours champagne into our two glasses. “But first let’s drink some bubbly.”

I tap her glass with mine and take a sip. The liquid tap dances on my tongue before I swallow it down.

“I’m really happy you came over.”

Sonia touches my hand. “Of course. I wasn’t sure whether I should. I wanted to call you the whole time, but I wasn’t sure whether you would still want to hang out with me now that you’re engaged to the big boss.”

“That’s ridiculous. Of course we can still be friends. This doesn’t change anything.”

“Well, in a way it does. I can no longer complain to you about work.” When we were colleagues, we spent a lot of time complaining about our jobs.

“Now that I’m on the inside, if you have any issues, you could let me know and I might be able to help.”

“You’re such a sweetheart, Jenna. The first time you walked into the office, I knew there was something special about you.”

“You’re trying to suck up to me, aren’t you?” I laugh so hard I almost spit out my champagne.

“Partly.” She joins in the laughter. “But honestly, I would love it if we continue to be friends.”

I put my glass down and give her a hug. “I promise you that.”

After we pull apart, we enjoy our champagne in comfortable silence until Sonia ends it.

“Now tell me how he is as a lover. We’re all wondering at the office.”

I take a gulp of wine. “To be honest, in bed, he’s the best I’ve ever had. But don’t tell anyone.”

“Ooh, go on. Tell me more.” Her green eyes are sparkling with curiosity.

“Are you sure you want to hear sexual details about your boss? Wouldn’t that make you feel awkward when you bump into him at work?”

“Shit, I think you’re right. I’ll never be able to look at him the same way.” She waves a dismissive hand. “Forget it. Show me the diamond instead.”

I raise my hand and allow her to admire my ring. Seeing Sonia again has really made my day. I missed our chats.

“This ring is stunning.” She turns my hand from side to side to get a better view. “When is the wedding?”

“We haven’t decided yet. We’re kind of planning on a long engagement. You know how it can take a while to plan a wedding.”

“Yes, and I can imagine how complicated it will be for you to find a free window in his busy schedule. That man is always somewhere in the world.”

“He promised to travel less once we’re married.” I hope he keeps that promise because I don’t want to be stuck in the house by myself.

“That’s good.” Sonia hugs me again. “Enjoy your fairy tale for all of us. My prince is taking his sweet time getting here.” She pulls away. “By the way, Darlene no longer works at Slade. The bitch is gone.”

“What happened?” I hope Winston had nothing to do with her departure. Even though she was a terrible boss, I wouldn’t want anyone to lose their jobs because of me. But I never even discussed her behavior with Winston.

Sonia pulls her feet up on the couch. “I heard she was fired for sharing confidential company information with a competitor. Everyone is glad she’s gone.”

The doorbell rings again before I can respond to her. We both glance at the door in surprise.

Sonia’s face looks suddenly panicked. “Is Winston coming over?”

“Not that I know of. He’s supposed to be in meetings all day.”

“Yes, there’s some huge board meeting going on. Are you expecting someone else?”

“No.” I push myself up from the couch.

It’s not Winston downstairs, but his driver, Marion.

“Was he asked to pick you up?” Sonia looks visibly relieved.

“No idea.” I grab my keys. “I’ll go down to find out. I’ll be right back. You don’t have to leave.”

Downstairs, Marion has a package for me, a large, cream garment bag that he places in my arms with so much gentleness you’d think it were a baby. “From Mr. Slade. Have a good day.”

He leaves me standing on the front steps of the building, wondering what I’m holding.

When I return to the apartment, Sonia is watching daytime TV, sprawled on the couch.

“I can’t remember the last time I got to do this.”

“Do what?” I close the door with my foot.

“Watch daytime TV.” She looks up at me. “What’s that?”

“Your guess is as good as mine.” I lay the bag on the couch and search the surface for a zip. “Let’s find out, shall we?” I say once I locate it.

Sonia sits up to see better.

The white contents of the bag are revealed inch by inch and then when tulle and silk start to spill out, it hits me what Winston sent me. My temples throb with rage as I zip the bag up again. I’m sure it cost him a fortune, but I don’t give a damn.

“Is that a wedding dress?” Sonia’s eyes are dancing. “How romantic. I’ve never heard of a groom sending his bride her wedding dress as a present.”

“Neither have I.” The backs of my eyes burn with unshed tears. “It’s quite a surprise.” But not the kind he probably hopes it would be.

I’m pissed as hell. I guess I’ll have to see him today after all.