Chapter 1
Blair
The sign forWelcome to Wisteria Creeklooked smaller than I remembered. The trees dusted with the familiar shades of orange and red, hinting that fall was approaching. My perspective may have changed. Years away would do that, shrink the place you ran from until it barely resembled the memory.
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and forced myself to breathe. The hum of tires on asphalt, the steady pulse of my heart, the GPS gently announcing, “You’ve arrived”. All of it was real now. No more hiding behind deadlines or temporary sublets or half-finished novels. I was home.
My best friend Madison’s house sits at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, porch light glowing like an open invitation. I cut the engine and sat briefly, letting the silence settle around me. A new chapter, I told myself. Not the old one. This wasn’t the same story. The door opened before I could knock. “Finally!” Madison, very pregnant and barefoot, stood with arms wide and a grin full of warmth. I melted into the hug. “God, I missed you.”
“I missed you more. Come in. The baby’s kicking like she knows her honorary aunt has arrived.”
Inside smelled like lavender and fresh cookies. Madison had always made things feel safe.
As I dropped my duffel bag in the entryway, Madison observed me. “You okay?”
I smiled too quickly. “I’m fine.”
Madison didn’t push. She offered tea and gossip, and I let myself breathe again for the first time in weeks.
Later that night, restless and curious, I slipped out for a walk. The streets felt familiar in a ghostly way. My feet led me toward downtown before I even realized it.
The glow ofThe Hollow Taplit up the corner. New name. Old building.
I pushed open the door and the past crashed into me in the form of broad shoulders, warm brown eyes, unkempt chestnut hair and a voice I hadn’t heard in eight years.
“Blair Cunningham?”
Greyson Shaw.
I swallowed. “Hey, Grey.”
He blinked like he didn’t believe it. Then slowly, like molasses and moonlight, he smiled.
Chapter 2
Greyson
Of all the people I thought I might see tonight, Blair Cunningham wasn’t one of them.
She looked the same and different all at once, wiser maybe. Softer in the eyes, sharper around the edges. The blonde hair I remember was longer now, curled loosely over her shoulders, and those emerald green eyes were as stunning as always, though a little more stormy than I remember. Her lips were pressed into a nervous smile I hadn’t seen in a long time.
“Damn.” I muttered, stepping out from behind the bar. “You look... good.”
“So do you.” Her voice was cautious, like she didn’t trust the ground beneath her feet.
I wasn’t sure I trusted it either. I hadn’t seen Blair since she left town right after my sophomore year in college. No goodbye, no explanation. I had heard rumors. Family drama. Something about college. Writing, maybe?
“You’re back,” I said.
“Temporarily,” she replied, though her eyes gave away more. “Madison’s due in a few months. I’m staying with her.”
I nodded and motioned her toward the bar. “Drink?”
“Just water.” She gave a weak smile. “Trying to behave.”
“I’m not judging.” I slid her a glass, fingers brushing briefly. A zing shot up my arm.
Her eyes met mine and held still that same pull.
