Monroe had already copied Asher on one side, dragging the blade up along her forearm instead of across her wrist.

The cut she’d made was thin, though, and shallow. Weeping, but not uncontrollably.

Mia shifted closer, desperate, her eyes locked on dull steel meeting pale skin for a second time. She wanted to stop Monroe, she tried to stop Monroe. But Mia’s hands were shaking, and black hovered at the edge of her vision.

When Mia reached for the razor, she knocked into Monroe’s arm instead, an accident that in any other second of any other day would have been overlooked, forgotten in the next breath.

Monroe cried out, in surprise more than anything, as the blade burrowed deeper from their combined force.

“Why did you?” Monroe asked, staring not at Mia but at her own slick hands where the blood pooled in her palms. There was too much of it. There shouldn’t have been that much.

I didn’t mean to, Mia thought. I didn’t . . .

But the words still wouldn’t come.

Mia traced the edge of the razor against her scar, a shiver following in its wake. Then she flung the blade into the bay.

The metal sank beneath the black water, taking the memories with it.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I’d like to thank my wonderful editors, Charlotte Herscher and Megha Parekh, for their always-thoughtful guidance, spot-on edits, and endless encouragement.

Thanks also to the top-notch team at Thomas & Mercer, who work so tirelessly to make an idea into reality. I am so grateful this story is in such capable hands.

As always, a huge megathanks to my agent, Abby Saul. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in crime. You go above and beyond, and this would be a lesser book without you.

Thank you, dear readers. You keep me on my toes, make me smile, push me to grow, and support me with such trust. I am very blessed to have you.

Abby McIntyre and Katie Smith forever have my gratitude for being the best, most faithful first readers a person could ever ask for.

And, finally, thank you to my friends and family, who are so endlessly generous with their enthusiasm and love. It means the absolute world to me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Brianna Labuskes graduated from Penn State University with a degree in journalism. For the past eight years, she has worked as an editor at both small-town papers and national media organizations such as Politico and Kaiser Health News, covering politics and policy. Brianna is the author of the Amazon Charts bestseller Girls of Glass, and It Ends with Her, as well as the historical romance novel One Step Behind. She lives in Washington, DC, and enjoys traveling, hiking, kayaking, and exploring the city’s best brunch options. Visit her at www.briannalabuskes.com.