Page 1 of The Getaway

Chapter 1- Sabrina

“I can’t believe that you’re still going,” Addison says.

“Why shouldn’t I go, Ads? I have the tickets, everything is paid for, and I can’t get my money back. Why the hell should I let this perfectly planned trip go to waste?” I snap, unable to hold back my frustration.

No one in my family seems to understand why I’m going. To all of them, I’m being completely irrational.

Not that they’ll say it outright or to my face.

When Addison doesn’t answer right away, I sigh. Plopping onto the bed, I pull the phone away to check how much time is left before I need to leave for the airport.

Mindlessly, I rub at the ache that’s spreading across my chest.

Ignoring the fact that the Caribbean vacation package is fully paid for and nonrefundable, I need this trip more than anyone understands.

My family is trying to be supportive, claiming they want nothing more than for me to be happy. But I saw the disappointment in their eyes when I called off the wedding. Especially considering it’s the same look that almost everyone in my life has been giving me for the past month.

Although, none of those hurt as deeply as the anguish on Paul’s face the day I told him that I couldn’t marry him.

Guilt settles in my stomach like a bowling ball. Hurting him was never my intention. He had been my closest friend for years, and it took me longer than it should have to realize the truth.

I didn’t love him. At least, not in the way he loved me. I care for him and want nothing more than for him to be happy. But if we went through with the wedding, his happiness would be built on lies.

My wedding day was supposed to be beautiful and magical.

It was supposed to be perfect. That’s what I always thought.

Except I had forgotten all about the plans I made as a kid, until my mom was going through boxes in the attic and found my old “Dream Wedding” box.

Throughout high school, I had planned everything. From potential venues, to wedding dress ideas, to all the desserts I wanted. It was adorable to see what sixteen-year-old me thought would make for the perfect wedding.

At least, that’s what I thought before I found the note.

The note that spelled out every wish for what my future husband would be like and how none of the other details mattered, so long as I found a man who was right for me in every way.

Teenage me had made an incredibly detailed outline of things that my future husband could do that would make me sacrifice any wedding day details.

It was as if I could feel myself changing as I read over the bullet points.

I wanted someone who would set off fireworks every time we touched. Someone who would bring me a piece of cannoli cheesecake and a heating pad when I get my period. Someone who would remember all the little things. Like what my favorite movie is—Moulin Rouge—or that they would listen to my favorite *NSYNC song—Pop—on repeat and not complain.

But it was the last thing that struck me the hardest.

Even if I met someone who sometimes forgets to put the toilet seat back down or doesn’t do the dishes the same way as me, it would be okay as long as he made me feel special.

Paul loved me. There was no doubt in my mind about that.

We met in college ten years ago and hit it off immediately. I didn’t even realize we were dating until some guy tried flirting with me at a bar. Paul stepped in and told the guy I was taken. From that point on, I was swept up in everything and didn’t think twice. It was easy with him.

But there was no spark.

There were none of the things that younger me had hoped for.

I didn’t even realize that I wasn’t in love with Paul until that day.

When he proposed last fall, I said yes without even thinking about what I truly wanted. In my mind, marriage was simply the next step for us.

Until I opened that box.

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