CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

The late April evening grew cool as breezes blew up from the ocean, tossing Ashley’s long, blonde hair onto her face. Ashley’s wavy hair was one of her best features and she’d always been proud of it. She pushed it back onto her neck now as she and Brad walked along the promenade, barely looking at each other, or talking. Ashley didn’t know if the chill she was feeling was from the wind or the distance that seemed to have suddenly grown between them. It was inexplicable. Their first three dates had gone wonderfully. And now this. It was becoming a pattern for her.

Things would start out great in her relationships, but very soon into dating, the excitement petered out, and things turned sour. Ashley had no idea why, but the pattern had become more intense these past few months. It happened more quickly, and left her feeling shaky about herself.

Ashley was slim and beautiful, with a lithe figure, and never had any trouble attracting guys. She came from a fine family, had a job she loved, and a beautiful apartment in Santa Monica, with a patio overlooking the hills. All these years she’d enjoyed her freedom, built her career as a graphic designer, met new friends, rollerbladed, ran in marathons, sketched on the beach. But now her thirtieth birthday was fast approaching and it was time for her to settle down. She knew it and so did everyone else. By now most of her friends were married or engaged. It seemed like the whole world had someone—except her.

As she and Brad walked along in silence, Ashley let out a long sigh, and Brad turned his head and looked over at her.

“Something the matter?” he asked, almost gruffly.

“It turned so cold so fast,” Ashley murmured under her breath, just loud enough for him to hear.

Brad ran his hands through his dark brown hair and looked away.

“Is something wrong, Brad?” Ashley managed to ask, as the wind grew stronger around them.

He stopped, turned away and looked at the ocean, where the waves rolled in and out, oblivious to what was going on at the shore. Ashley and Brad had met through work, at one of her company’s trade shows that she’d done the designs for. They’d started out on a high note, enjoying each other’s company, having a lot to talk about, knowing many people in common. Ashley told friends she was excited about him, and they couldn’t wait to hear what happened next. Ashley’s friends and family sat on the edge of their seats, waiting to hear good news from her. They called regularly to get the details of her latest dates and cheered her on relentlessly.

In the beginning Ashley liked it, but now she did not. It was upsetting to have to answer to everyone and hear the long silences on the other end of the phone when things fell flat. It was becoming a ritual, and now it had happened again. Brad had suddenly become withdrawn. Had she done something to cause it? Ashley had no idea. As the evening was coming to an end, he actually seemed sullen and reserved.

Ashley took a step closer to him and then stopped cold. She wasn’t into chasing—not him or anyone.

“I’m sorry,” Brad managed to finally say, “I can’t do this anymore.”

Ashley didn’t understand.

“Can’t do what?”

“I’ve met someone,” Brad spoke very fast. “She’s a terrific woman, perfect for me, everything I’ve been looking for. It’s not fair to lead you on this way.”

Ashley felt a chill run up through her arms and shoulders. He was breaking up with her? Right now, right here? It didn’t make sense. Everything had been great between them yesterday, and now he’d suddenly met someone?

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Ashley asked, in a cool, even tone, desperately trying to regain her dignity.

It wasn’t that she was in love with Brad. It was way too soon for that. Ashley wasn’t the kind to jump into things quickly, to give her heart without being careful and taking time. But to be broken up without seeing it coming, to be rejected on the turn of a dime—why? It didn’t make sense.

“Can’t you be happy for me, Ashley?” Brad said falteringly.

Ashley knew that she should be happy for Brad, but she wasn’t. She felt rotten and let down. Wasn’t she terrific, too? What was wrong with her? Why wasn’t she the one he could see building a life with? Why had the tide turned this way in her life, especially now with tomorrow being her thirtieth birthday?

“Come on,” Brad continued, trying to make light of it, “it’s not exactly a tragedy, we’ve only gone out a few times. Be happy for me!”

“It’s not a tragedy,” she answered. “It’s the furthest thing from it.”

Ashley turned her back on him and walked away, towards the huge, ominous globe of the setting sun.