Page 2 of From Ice to Grace
And that—all of that—is Avah’s fault.
The thought stirs a slow burn of frustration that spikes into something hotter. I toss back the rest of my drink and set the glass on the bar behind me with a dull thud.
She’s still dancing with EJ, looking completely content. Her movements are soft, controlled. She follows the rhythm without missing a beat. Her nearly white hair is braided over her shoulder like always, the blue of her dress making her eyes stand out even from across the room.
As the song ends, something in her expression falters, just for a second. She pastes a smile on her face for her brother before gesturing toward the back. EJ doesn’t think twice, just kisses her on the cheek and heads off—straight toward one of Hannah’s bridesmaids.
But my gaze follows Avah as she quietly makes her way to the exit. And before I know it, my feet are moving too.
Maybe it’s the bourbon.
Maybe it’s the suffocating air.
Maybe I’ve just had enough of the fake smiles and perfect pictures.
Or maybe it’s because I’ve listened to her take shots at me for a year…
And now I’ve got something to say back.
PROLOGUE
AVAH
I had to get some air.
I’ve been trying to fully enjoy the day with Hannah, but it’s hard when I know I was supposed to be getting married this month. I’ve done my best to stay present, to enjoy every moment with her, but now…I need to catch my breath.
The summer night air of Georgetown, South Carolina, wraps around me. A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as my gaze travels over the fields basked in starlit darkness. Faint music from the barn plays from behind me, but in front of me, there’s nothing but silence and cicadas.
Today was beautiful, a dream wedding to anyone’s measure. Just like most women out there, I dreamt of my wedding day way before I should’ve. When Axel proposed to me, I immediately started planning. Since our first anniversary I’ve had pinterest boards filled with wedding gowns and venue ideas, color schemes and flower arrangements.
How could I not?
My parents are happily married, and have been for more than thirty years. The second I believed I was heading toward that same future, excitement took over.
Because I want that.
I prayed that I would one day find someone who would spend forever with me.
Since I grew up with a brother who played hockey, it meant that my entire life mostly revolved around the sport. Falling for one of his teammates was inevitable, and it felt like a dream come true. So when the man I slowly fell in love with from the moment I met him finally proposed to me, I was ecstatic. The first thing I did was look at venues who had openings in the off-season. Everything was falling into place.
And yet, here I am.
A week before my supposed wedding should’ve been.
Without a fiancé.
I quickly swipe away the tear sliding across my cheek. I refuse to give another minute of my life to Axel Boqvist. The day I found out about everything he was doing behind my back…my entire future shattered. I had no choice but to pack up and leave.
There was nothing left for me in Stockholm. Nothing but humiliation and a pile of shattered dreams.
My mom always said: ‘Don’t give an undeserving person time in your life, your mind, or your heart.’
I gave Axel more than my time, and in return he left me with nothing.
Love can make you blind. I’m a prime example of that.
Looking up at the stars, I breathe in the fresh night air of Georgetown. There’s faint chatter and laughter coming from the barn, but other than that, it’s silent and peaceful. It reminds me of weekends spent with my family at the old reserve. It’s always been easier for me to pray outside, I’ve just always felt closer to the Father that way.
