The hurt was stronger this time. Not the sting of a paper cut, but the throb of something much deeper.

“Got it,” she said, turning away.

“Dree, wait—”

“No, Clarke.” She turned back, keeping her face expressionless, her tone calm. “I think separate cabs would be a good idea. Let’s just take a night to cool down.”

“And then what?” He shoved his hands into his pockets, looking as lost as she felt. They never fought.

She shrugged. “Then we figure out how to get ourselves out of the mess we got ourselves into.”

Clarke said nothing for a long moment. “Sure. Okay. Let’s get you a cab.”

Wordlessly they walked to the curb. It was late on a Saturday, so it took a few minutes to find an available cab. She was relieved when he opened the door for her but didn’t follow her into the taxi.

“You sure this is what you want?” he asked quietly before closing the door. “To end the engagement?”

She looked into his familiar gold-brown eyes and nodded. “I’m tired of pretending.”

He held her gaze, then jerked his head in understanding. “Sure. I get it.”

Audrey pulled the door shut, not looking his direction as the cab drove away. She squeezed her eyes shut. Clarke wasn’t the only one who was keeping secrets.

Audrey was tired of pretending, but what terrified her down to her very soul was that she wasn’t tired of pretending to be engaged.

She was tired of pretending she wanted it to end.

Chapter Fifteen

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8

A week later, the ice between Audrey and Clarke hadn’t yet thawed. It was fitting, Audrey figured, that the next time they saw each other would involve copious amounts of snow.

“You’re sure you won’t come with?” asked Erin Ratliff, a society darling whom Audrey was friendly with. Erin positioned her designer ski goggles atop her head and gave Audrey a worried look. “I feel so bad leaving you behind. I thought you skied!”

“Oh, I do ski,” Audrey said with a reassuring smile. “I like skiing. I just love a good book, a hot toddy, and a roaring fire even more.”

Audrey gestured behind her at the resort’s après ski lounge area, which truly was her version of heaven, a hideaway with plenty of cozy corners and comfortable furniture tucked around an enormous fireplace.

Erin gave her another skeptical look before stepping closer and lowering her voice. “I am super sorry. This must be so awkward. When I invited you and Clarke a while back, I didn’t realize you were together, and then one of the other girls invited Clarke’s ex—”

“It’s fine,” Audrey cut in quickly. “Clarke and I are adults, and Elizabeth and I are fine.”