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

on hers.

Not toward hers.

In the middle.

Where she could meet it if she chose.

Kora chose.

She put her hand on top of his.

The next week, Adam Kalmar came to Boston.

At his reading on Beacon Street, Adam read in Hungarian. Kora read the English. Forty people came. Liam sat at the back because he had promised he would not embarrass her.

Afterward, Adam crossed continue reading …