Prologue

PROLOGUE

Aria

With every step I took, I grew more and more anxious.

I couldn't believe I was doing this, that this day had ever come, but now I had no choice. I hadn't ever imagined my life would lead me where it had, that I'd have to go to extremes if I was ever going to make the change I needed.

Sasha wasn't happy about it.

Then again, she'd been upset about this from the moment I told her we had to go, and she hadn't stopped telling me just how angry she was ever since we got in the car.

Sasha was my cat—a British shorthair, silver tabby. I'd gotten her as a kitten and loved her to death. She'd been much sweeter as a kitten, but as she got older, she developed a bit of a sassy side to her personality. Sure, she had moments where she liked to cuddle or play, and she often enjoyed just snoozing around the apartment. But Sasha had her limits, and leaving her domain was not high up on her list of enjoyable things to do.

"I know you're upset, Sasha," I murmured, feeling my own nerves wreaking havoc on me. Maybe I was the reason Sasha was having such a difficult time now. No doubt she could sense my ever-growing unease. "I promise I'm going to fix this permanently for us. I just need some time to get it all figured out. Then you shouldn't ever have to do this again."

Sasha meowed her dissent. Clearly, she had little faith in me at this point.

I couldn't say I didn't understand. Even I didn't recognize who I'd become and the things I'd accepted for this long.

We made it to the front door, knocked, and waited. A moment later, I was staring into the eyes of my best friend, Britney. With one look, my emotions bubbled to the surface.

Following a beat of tense, knowing silence, she said, "I was kind of hoping you wouldn't show up."

I got it.

I didn't feel much differently. Nothing would have made me happier than for things to have taken a different turn than they had.

But I was here, and there wasn't anything that would happen now to change it.

"You and me both," I murmured. "And if I'm honest, Sasha's pissed at me, too."

Britney stepped back, taking the bag from my hand, and allowed me to come inside with my cat. After she closed the door behind me and we made our way into the living room, she set the bag I'd packed for Sasha down and said, "I wish there was another option, Aria. Are you sure you've tried everything?"

I tipped my head to the side, my eyes roaming over her face. "You know I have, Britney. Nobody's listening to me, and I can't stay here. I need the distance, or they'll find a way to pull me back in."

She nodded, understanding and sympathy written all over her face. "I know. I just wish it didn't have to be this way."

I cuddled Sasha close and stared at Britney. The silence hung heavy between us. This would undoubtedly be the hardest thing I ever had to do. And to know I had all the support in the world from my best friend but wouldn't have her the way she'd always been there was devastating.

Even still, she needed to know how much I appreciated her. "Thank you for doing this for me, Brit. I couldn't have made it through these last few months without you."

"You know I'm always going to be here for you. And for Sasha."

"Well, she might not appreciate all that's happening at the moment, but I know she's going to be much happier here while I get things sorted."

More than anything else that was happening in my life, I hated that I had to leave Sasha behind while I went about getting things settled for the new life I wanted to build for us. Fortunately, I had Britney, who was willing to keep Sasha here with her while I attempted to make that happen. I expected I'd be spending a lot of time in the car over the next couple of weeks. My cat hated being in the car—despised it—so even though I was going to be leaving her for a little while, she'd be much better off here. And she was familiar with Britney, so I didn't have any concerns there.

"Have you figured anything out? Do you have any idea of where you might go?" Britney questioned me.

I shook my head, finally setting Sasha down on the floor. She wound her soft body around my ankles. I had a feeling she sensed what was happening. "I don't have any specifics worked out, but there is one thing I'm certain of. I'll be close yet far. I can't stay where I am now, but I have no intention of leaving the state or anything like that. Pennsylvania is home for me. I just need to find a new town to start over in."

"I hope it's not too far away."

I shrugged. "I wish I had better answers. I wish I never had to go. But I need this distance if I stand any chance of clearing myself from that mess."

Britney moved toward me with outstretched arms and tears in her eyes. I hugged her tightly, devastated I'd be leaving her but grateful I had her friendship. "I'm going to miss you so much," she whispered.

My throat got tight, painfully tight, to the point it hurt to swallow. "I'm going to try to get things settled in just a few weeks. Then I'll be back for a short visit to pick up Sasha. We'll come up with a game plan for frequent visits with one another from that point forward."

We held on to one another for a bit longer, neither one of us wanting to let go. But eventually, we had to separate ourselves from each other. The longer I stayed here, the longer it would take for me to get things fixed.

I'd already waited far too long to make that happen. This was overdue.

So, I crouched down, cuddled, and kissed Sasha. When I stood, I stared at Britney and promised, "I'll call you in a few hours to check on her. And I'll keep you updated as I get things figured out."

"Sasha's in good hands. Don't worry about her. Which way are you going when you leave here?"

I offered a small smile in return. "Wherever my gut tells me to go."

She sighed, shaking her head slightly with a look of disbelief on her face. "You're so brave, Aria. As sad as I am about you leaving, I want you to know how proud I am of you. This is the right thing for you to do."

"Thanks, Brit. That means a lot to me."

Smiling, she said, "Alright, get out of here before I change my mind and stop you from going."

After another hug for Britney and several strokes along Sasha's back with tears filling my eyes, I moved to the door.

Before I knew it, I was in my car and pulling out of the driveway.

At the end of it, I inhaled deeply, looked both ways, and decided to turn right. This was the official start to my new life.

I was nervous as heck, but I was excited to see where I'd wind up.