Iris had been best friends with Justin Timberlake since she was seven. They weren’t related by blood, but everyone knew they might as well have been—siblings born into different families.

Even after life pulled them in separate directions, their bond never cracked. Justin was now touring the world as part of the wildly popular boy band NSYNC, while Iris chose the quieter path, working toward her psychology degree.

Somewhere in between all of that, Iris met Jayden—and fell in love fast. She was young, hopeful, and convinced she’d found her forever. But two years later, the shine had worn off, and she could finally see the fractures she’d ignored.

Which is how she found herself standing at Justin’s front door at ten o’clock at night.

Using the spare key he’d insisted she keep, she pushed the door open and stepped into the darkened house.

“Justin?” she called softly as she wandered into the open kitchen. She set her overnight bag on the counter, noticing how unnervingly still the place felt. Maybe he wasn’t home.

“He’s outside,” a voice said suddenly.