Summary

In Chapter 1, set in 1996, six-year-old Abby Stern rode her bike for the first time without training wheels. Riding gave her the sensation of being free from anything that could hurt her.

In Chapter 2, set in New York City in 2021, Abby was at a bachelorette party for her friend Kara when she noticed a man staring at her. The man asked Abby to dance with him. As they were dancing, he suggested that she go home with him. Abby agreed even though it was not typical behavior for her.

Outside, Abby learned the man’s name was Sebastian. She texted a picture of his driver’s license to Lizzie, her friend back home in Philadelphia. Throughout the evening, Sebastian asked Abby permission before each step in their lovemaking. He told Abby that she was pretty and made her believe that he believed that.

In...