Ever since Asher disappeared at the beginning of their junior year of high school, Ember has had a hard time getting over him. She has questions about his disappearance when things don't quite add up. She moves on with her professional life but has never moved on romantically from her one true, high school love. She has managed to keep Asher a secret from everyone except her best friend. Then Adam, the friend of Ember's best friend's husband, persuades her to give him a chance. When she finally gives in to his pressure, he moves too quickly and she panics, bailing on the relationship. Adam starts to drink heavily then begins to obsess about getting Ember back, hurting her in the process.

When Ember learns of Adam's dark past, she decides she is going to take care of Adam herself before he really hurts her, or worse, he finds out about Asher. But when she gets to his house to confront him, she is too late. It appears that he has taken care of himself for her, or...was there foul play involved before she got the chance to do anything herself?

Visiting their special tree on the same day every year of Asher's disappearance, she marks the tree for every year they have been apart hoping he will one day return. It's been thirteen years and she has to ask herself, how long is too long to wait for the one you love?