prologue
. . .
Poppy
This is bonkers.
I got the job in Houston and I’m moving.
Again.
But it’s a promotion, with benefits. Vacation days. Paid sick leave and personal days—and a security clearance keycard badge that I fully intend to bedazzle.
I GOT THE FREAKING JOB!
Better yet? The gig is in Houston, aka:home of my best friend Nova and her fiancé Luca,which means built in community. Built in support system. Built in fun. Also home of highways, cattle, and cowboys.
This isn’t the first time I’ve packed up my life and started over somewhere new—but this is the first time it feels… different. Less like an escape, more like a decision.
Ichosethis.
The job is good. Better than good.
I’ll be leading the cybersecurity team at a rising tech firm, and they’re already throwing around words likepromotion trackandstock options.
Yay, me!
I take a peek at my phone for the third time in ten seconds, as if staring at it was going to make it ring. Ring, dammit!
When it finally does, I’m standing in the center of my living room—well, soon-to-be-former living room—surrounded by a crime scene of empty boxes, bubble wrap, and one half-eaten sleeve of Oreos I’ve been using for morale.
It finally rings, and I answer so fast I nearly dislocate a thumb.
“Are you wearing it right now?” I blurt out, needing to see her hand.
Again.
Nova, my best friend, is newly engaged and the size of the ring damn near knocked me off my feet when I saw it. Like, literally—I tripped over a shoe rack and almost ate carpet.
She lifts her hand with a smug little smile, the rock catching the light like it’s auditioning for a role in a heist movie.
“Jesus,” I mutter, squinting. “Is that a diamond or a disco ball?”
She laughs, breathless. Happy. “I haven’t stopped staring at it. I almost ran into a display of light bulbs at the Home Depot yesterday.”
Don’t blame her.
We squeal at the same time, which makes me laugh and wipe a tear I didn’t expect. Because it’s not just about the ring. Or the proposal. Or the fact that she got the produce aisle moment of a lifetime.
It’s the fact that my best friend is in love.
So damnin love.
And it’s happening. And I’m going to be there. In the same city. Starting over but definitely not alone.
“Please, please, please help me find an apartment,” I say. “Preferably one with a view. And a pool. And a rooftop garden.”
Nova rolls her eyes at my demands.
