Page 1 of I Loved You First

one

Maple Ridge, Vermont

August

Fiona sang along with another song on her favorite playlist as she wrapped the last lock of her dark-brown hair around her curling iron. Counting to eight, she stared at herself in the full-length mirror, scrutinizing the look Leo had helped her put together via several texts while she waited to deplane at Logan International four hours ago.

A slow smile of satisfaction made her dimples pop as she tracked her gaze from her big brown eyes she’d accentuated with a slide of eyeliner and a sweep of mascara to the simple thigh-length powder-blue cami dress she’d bought two days ago in London.

“Not bad,” she murmured as she released her curls from the iron, brushing her fingers through her silky tresses, creating the loose waves that had been her goal.

Picking up her clear gloss, she applied it to her lips, then snatched up her phone, snapping a selfie and sending it off in a text. What do you think?

Seconds later, Leo responded. Holy smoke show!

Fiona laughed. You’re good for my ego. But it’s not too shabby after a transatlantic flight and a two-hour bus ride home.

Girl, that boy is toast.

She snagged her lip with her teeth, hoping that would be true. Wish me luck.

Her friend’s next response popped up. You don’t need luck. He’s crazy about you. Go kiss and make up.

“That’s the plan,” she whispered as she exhaled a long breath, switching to a picture of herself and Cam snuggled up and grinning just days before she’d left for Europe—before everything had gone so wrong.

She sighed as she studied their happy faces, wishing she’d never accepted the summer internship she’d jumped at the chance to take. Three months in the UK was supposed to have propelled her life forward, not ruined everything with the person she loved most in the world.

But her endlessly busy days, a five-hour time difference, and Cam’s crazy schedule had strained a relationship that had been mostly long-distance since she left for college nearly four years ago.

Their breaking point came when Cam found out that Simone Laurier had offered her a job in Seattle after the completion of her senior year at George Washington University. Leo had tagged her in a celebratory post on Instagram before she’d had a chance to tell Cam herself.

“Why am I finding out about job offers on Instagram? Why didn’t you tell me, Fi?”

“I don’t know. Simone asked me to think about it, and it felt weird saying no when I still have six weeks left here in London. But I’m turning down the position.”

“You’re turning it down because of me.”

“No, I’m turning it down for us.”

“You’ve worked so hard for this, Fi. This opportunity is perfect for you. It’s everything you’ve wanted. I can hear the excitement in your voice when you talk about what you’re doing over there. How can I let you do that?”

“You’re not letting me do anything.”

“I love you, Fi, more than anyone or anything. But it feels like we’re drifting apart. I don’t know how we’re supposed to have a relationship like this. We play phone tag more than we talk. It feels like we’re moving in different directions—like you’re moving in a direction I can’t follow. You know my family needs me here in Vermont.”

“I do know that.”

“I won’t be the reason your dreams don’t come true.”

She huffed out a breath. “You’re putting all of this on me, and that’s not fair. You knew from the very beginning that this was my plan—to have a big life.”

“I thought we were making a big life together.”

“I did, too.”

“Maybe… Maybe this isn’t working.”

“Maybe it’s not.”