Flare

CASSIAN

I've loved Vivienne Wilson for so long, I don't remember what it feels like not to. Not that it matters.

She's my best friend's sister. She's off-limits. And now, she's engaged to marry a man who can give her everything I can't. A title. A future. A life that makes sense on paper.

I'm only the estate manager's son-temporarily running Belgrave Park while my father recovers-and doing my level best to survive the autumn without losing what's left of my sanity.

So I do what I've always done.

I stay quiet.

I keep my distance and pretend it doesn't carve out my heart to do it.

I'll give her every last thing she needs.

Even if it kills me.

VIVIENNE

Getting married at Belgrave Park is supposed to be a dream. It's everything my family has ever wanted for me-an impeccable match, a perfect wedding, a future that fits neatly into the world I was born into.

There's just one problem.

Cassian Cordero is everywhere. In the stables. In the library. Across the dinner table, looking at me like I'm something he's already lost.

He's my brother's best friend.

My first crush.

The only boy I've ever loved.

And the last man in the world to ever be mine.

Because no matter how close we get-how long his hand lingers, how quiet the world feels when it's just us-he never crosses the line. Never says the things I'm desperate to hear. Never gives me a reason to believe this isn't all in my head.

I said yes to a man I don't love, because if Cassian wanted me, he would've chosen me by now.