Aiden Hawkins. My high school best friend. The one who bolted from this small town years ago.

Now he’s back, standing in my dad’s hospital room, and all that buried history? It’s a landmine.

I thought I’d left Cedar Ridge behind.

Then a storm, a broken-down car, and one too many shared memories forced us into an impossible arrangement—six months of working side by side.

He’s still infuriating. Still guarded. And still off-limits.

But somewhere between the legal battles, those whispered late nights, and that dizzying dance under the stars? I fell.

I fell hard.

Now I’m torn between a once-in-a-lifetime career offer that would take me far from Cedar Ridge… and the man who just might break my heart all over again.