Harlan pounded on the pet shop door for thirty minutes before Tim finally appeared.

A sense of dread had been building in his chest all day—like something precious was slipping through his fingers.


Harlan lunged forward, grabbing Tim's shirt. Tim easily broke his grip and shoved him back.

"Where is she?" Harlan demanded, voice cracking. "Where's Rachel?"

Tim crossed his arms. "I don't know."


"Bullshit! Tell me where she is! I found a specialist who can help her!"

"You've got some nerve showing up here."


Tim's fists clenched. He'd never wanted to hit someone so badly.

Tim had first noticed Rachel during freshman orientation.

She'd been addressing the crowd, confident and radiant.

He'd had zero interest in student government until she'd smiled at him.

She was steel wrapped in silk—handling every crisis with grace while never backing down.

Her quiet competence had fascinated him. In any room, his eyes always found her first.

He'd been working up the courage to ask her out when he learned about her boyfriend.

He'd seen her in Harlan's arms once, laughing with pure joy.

So he'd stepped back, content to be her friend and secret protector.

Her happiness was all that mattered.

But now he wished he'd fought harder.

Rachel had loved Harlan so completely—and how had he repaid that love?

How could this selfish bastard ever deserve her?

Tim kicked Harlan's shin, then grabbed his own packed suitcase from behind the counter.

"She's gone. She doesn't want to be found—especially not by you."

Rachel's letter had mentioned traveling, experiencing the world beyond their small corner of it.

She hadn't left a forwarding address. Tim understood why.

He was going to travel too—following her trail across continents if necessary.

The world was vast, but he'd find her. Some connections couldn't be broken by mere distance.

He'd find her.

The shop door slammed behind Tim, the CLOSED sign swinging.

Harlan sank to the sidewalk, head in his hands.

His fingers trembled around the diamond ring he'd never properly placed on her finger.

A tear splashed onto the diamond, making it glitter in the fading light.

He clutched the ring to his chest like a talisman.

He remembered her smile that day in the theater, how she'd squeezed his hand and whispered "forever" as he slipped the ring from his pocket.

Now all he had was an empty apartment and a ring she'd never wear.

Maybe it was better this way.

Wherever you are, Rachel Rivers, I hope you find peace.

Don't meet anyone like me again.