THE EMPTY CHAIR AT HER SISTER’S WEDDING WAS SUPPOSED TO PROVE HER FIANCÉ HAD LEFT HER—BUT WHEN A QUIET STRANGER SAT BESIDE HER, KORA NEVER IMAGINED HE OWNED THE HOTEL, OR THAT HIS FAMILY WAS ALREADY PLANNING THE MARRIAGE THAT COULD DESTROY THEM BOTH

to set down.

Liam placed his palm flat on the table.

Kora placed hers on top of his.

“Stay,” she said again softly.

“I will,” he said.

And for the first time since the empty chairs at her sister’s wedding, Kora believed the room was finally the right shape.