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

while the band shifted into an old jazz standard and the great-aunt on the floor cheerfully ruined the rhythm.

After a while, he said quietly, “I should let you have your table. May I bring you anything from the bar?”

“No,” Kora said. “Thank you.”

He inclined his head.

Then he stood and pushed the chair back in carefully.

Before he turned away, he looked continue reading …