CHAPTER Thaw zemblanity (n.) the inevitable discovery of what one would rather not know Wila [| WALKED DOWN THE AISLE stuffing my arms full of snacks: popcorn, chips, something sweet because salty. Obviously, I was eating my feelings, and the woman behind the counter was judging me the entire way. I ignored her, grabbing a bottle of cucumber-flavored soda to wash it all down with. After last night, the impending doom of going home and wearing Carter’s diamond ring tore at my every nerve, but I couldn’t just abandon my life forever. Not for a city that didn’t welcome me. Not even for a man who made me feel for the first time in my life. I wasn’t naïve enough to believe I could hold Ronan’s attention for more than a week. The thought of never seeing him again already ached like a hot coal in my chest. How bad would it be if I gave him my virginity? I had to go home. It was the only lasting thing I had. I dropped my load on the counter. The cashier looked completely unimpressed with my purchases, but she didn’t say a word as she rang me up. I paid with one of my last ruble notes, planning to go to an ATM soon. I could no longer live on Ronan’s generosity. It didn’t feel right anymore. Making my way out the door, I ran into someone. “Izvinite pozhaluysta,” I apologized, reaching down to pick up the candy bar that fell out of my bag—but I froze when tattooed fingers reached it first.