Chapter 2: A Heart Divided

Alex Lane sat on the carpet, but his mind seemed miles away. His face was stone, his eyes empty and cold—a stranger compared to the gentle, radiant Alex Lane I remembered.

This was a side of him I’d never seen before. It was like he’d put up a wall, one I couldn’t climb no matter how hard I tried.

My finger had just lifted, but I froze at the sight of his expression.

I glanced at Jason Carter. He looked surprised by my sudden attention. The frustration and resentment on his face hadn’t faded fast enough; his expression went blank for a moment, then his eyes brightened—hope flickering there like a porch light in the dark.

I dropped my hand, let out a breath, and hurried to Dad’s side to whisper in his ear.

He looked a little surprised, raising his eyebrows, then nodded and turned to the guys. “You two can head home. We’ll be in touch.”

Those words made Alex Lane’s eyes tremble. He looked up, meeting my gaze, searching for something I couldn’t give.

Jason Carter spoke up, voice a little rough: “Sir, what about Anna’s choice?”

Dad waved him off. “The official letter will be sent to the chosen one’s home.”

His tone sounded formal, like he was reading out a verdict—not a decision about my future.

“Wait, why wasn’t it announced? Who did Anna pick?”

“Since she didn’t choose, both are still possible. Look at Jason Carter—he’s grinning ear to ear.”

“Alex Lane clearly doesn’t want to be picked, so why does he look so serious now that he wasn’t?”

“He’s probably trying to figure out how to keep Anna from picking him. He’s already met Emily Young, and the two have feelings for each other. If Anna gets in the way, what a shame.”

Get in the way?

I grew up with Alex Lane. I’ve known him forever. How am I the one getting in the way? The thought stung, bitter as biting a lemon rind.

I lowered my head and sprawled across the kitchen table. The cool marble pressed against my forehead, grounding me.

All I could think about was Alex Lane: reading, practicing baseball.

He was my brother’s study buddy, a tall, elegant guy who always managed to stand out. He always smiled when he saw me, bringing me little trinkets from the local craft fair.

Only I had them.

Even my brother used to joke I was the only one Alex Lane cared about. I’d laughed it off, not realizing how much it meant.

I got up and ran to my brother’s room, begging him to cover for me so I could sneak out to find Alex Lane.

It was almost dusk. My brother couldn’t say no, so he gave me his key and had his friends escort me out. The porch light flickered on as I left, trouble waiting in the golden haze.

“She’s making a wasted trip. Alex Lane isn’t even home.”

“He left with Emily Young. They’re by the lake, looking at paintings. Right now, they’re all lovey-dovey and can’t bear to part.”