STORY EXCERPT

Veronica

Caleb Collins steps out of his family’s bar and grill next door as the morning sunlight catches in his dark hair. That boyish grin I used to dream about is gone and has been replaced by something darker, something raw and intense. Caleb looks so much like the boy I remember, but the awkward edges are gone, and have been replaced by muscle and shoulders that speak of strength, and a man who’s lived and endured.

Everything about him screams danger and desire. His jaw is sharp and dusted with stubble that makes me want to reach out and brush it with my fingers. His storm-gray eyes lock on to mine, and electricity crawls up my spine. They’re the same eyes that stole my breath as a girl, but now they’re sharper, and carved with years of pain and survival I can feel down to my bones. Looking into them feels like standing at the edge of memory and desire all at once, like no time has passed and yet everything has changed.

The tray of pint glasses he’s carrying rattles as his hands go slack. For one suspended heartbeat, he doesn’t move at all. He just stares like I’m a ghost. Maybe I am because seeing him again feels like being pulled straight back into the night of the crash and into every ounce of longing and loss I buried when I left.

Ten years later, and Caleb Collins still has the power to steal my breath. Back then, Caleb Collins hung the moon. At least, that’s how it felt to me. He was Nicky’s best friend, which meant he was always there leaning against our porch rail, eating pizza straight from the box in our living room, and tossing me a smile that made my insides flutter.

I used to stay awake at night, and listen to music as I would wonder if he was lying in his bed across town thinking about me too. Every stolen glance between us felt like a promise and every brush of his hand when he passed me something made me ache for more. I was convinced we were standing at the edge of something big and beautiful, like a secret only the two of us could see.

For a heartbeat, the world is quiet and there is no clatter of Park Street traffic or chatter of the Collins sisters. Just him and me and ten years of silence pressing down like a weight.

“Holy shit,” Harper whispers as she breaks the spell. “This is better than Netflix.”

“Harper,” Nora snaps as she smacks her sister’s ass.

I should say something, but my throat is dry and my body is stiff as my heart pounds like it’s trying to break free from my chest.

Caleb’s jaw flexes as he starts walking directly toward me. Every step he takes is heavy and measured, like he’s forcing himself to move. His shoulders are even broader than I remembered and his presence is bigger, darker. He used to carry himself like a boy who had the whole world in front of him. Now he moves like a man who’s been through hell and built walls, impenetrable walls, around him.

“Hi.” My voice comes out thin and brittle. “Caleb.” His name on my lips tastes like memory and regret.

Caleb stops a few feet away from me as his eyes burn into me.

His expression is unreadable, but his voice is rough and hits me square in the heart. “Veronica Gray.” Caleb doesn’t use the nickname all my close friends and family have always used and it stings.

I swallow hard. “It’s been a while.”

He releases a sharp laugh. “Yeah...guess it has.” His gaze flicks over me. “What are you doing here?”

Harper pipes up and bounces between us like a human shield. “She’s back to save the bakery!” Her tone is upbeat and chipper, in stark contrast to the current vibe in the air. “Cute. Like a holiday movie, but with extra caffeine and emotional baggage.”

“Harper.” Nora’s voice hisses.

Caleb doesn’t laugh or even crack a smile. His jaw just ticks as he stares at me and his storm-gray eyes turn darker than I’ve ever seen. Ten years ago, those eyes were the safest place I knew. When he looked at me, I felt like I mattered, and was more than Nicky’s little sister tagging along. There was always something in his gaze that hinted at hope, and maybe even the start of love.

Now all of that is gone. There’s no warmth left in his eyes, and no trace of the boy who once made me feel like I was special. What I see now is sharp, and guarded, and definitely angry. The way he looks at me now makes it clear that I’m the last person he wants to see.

“I should…” My voice cracks, and I swallow hard. “I should get inside….my parents…they’re waiting.”

“Yeah…” Caleb scoffs and takes a step back, but his narrowed gaze lingers. “You do that.”

Caleb turns and disappears into the tavern without another word, and just like that, he’s gone again. The silence he leaves behind feels like a wound ripped open as the sisters stare at me, wide-eyed, like they’ve just witnessed a soap opera cliffhanger.

Harper’s the first to break the silence. “Well…that was more intriguing than I expected.”

“Harper.” Nora rolls her eyes.

Sadie just shakes her head. “You shouldn’t have come back, Ronnie…not if you’re just going to stir all this shit up. Caleb…he doesn’t need you coming back into his life and fucking with his head.”

ADULT EXCERPT

Caleb

I can’t pull back. “Ronnie…” I growl against her mouth. “Fuck…I’ve wanted you…like this…fuck…forever.”

I shift my weight and step fully between Veronica’s legs as she hangs them around my waist, and the friction hits me like a live wire. Her dress rides up her thighs, and exposes soft, bare skin, and I cup her curvy hips firmly. She presses herself impossibly closer, and I can feel the heat of her pussy waiting for me, as my cock strains against my jeans.

I lower my forehead to hers, letting our breaths mingle. “You have no idea how much I’ve dreamed about this…you like this…for me…”

Ronnie trembles as she lets herself melt against my body. I feel the heat and raw desire of years pushing into this single, scorching moment. The world shrinks to the taste of her lips, and the press of her body against mine.

Our kisses are dirty and urgent. This is everything I’ve denied myself for too long as she presses herself closer. The bar and restaurant around fades away and there is only us, finally free to claim what’s been burning between us all these years.

Her hands are in my hair as I lift her slightly and cup her perfect ass and I grind against her pussy. The world has narrowed to the heat of her body against mine. Ronnie moans softly as she arches against my rock-hard cock and my remaining restraint begins to dissipate. Nothing exists beyond this and nothing matters but her.

Until the door swings open.

We both freeze as the bell above the door jingles. I quickly shove her dress into place and step away as my chest heaves.

My previous fling and Veronica’s high school rival saunters in with a smirk. Her eyes immediately spot me and then shift to Veronica.

“Oh, wow…if it isn’t the one and only Ronnie Gray.” Brielle’s voice is dripping with fake sweetness. “Caleb didn’t mention you were back in town, but I’m sure he told you we’ve been seeing each other?”

Shock and disbelief mixed with something else wash over Veronica’s beautiful face and I curse under my breath. Her eyes go wide and her lips part as she’s trying to speak but nothing comes out.

Brielle steps closer and loops an arm possessively through mine, as she leans in like we’re a real couple. “Isn’t that right, babe?” She stands on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek.

Every muscle in me tightens, and I open my mouth, but the words don’t come. I can’t explain, and can’t seem to stop the devastation in Ronnie’s eyes.

Veronica’s face twists. “What is this, Caleb? Are you in a relationship with her?”

I close my eyes as I swallow the lump in my throat. “It’s not that simple, Ronnie…it’s…”

“I…I can’t…I can’t do this.” Ronnie storms past me and out the door before I can reach for her as it slams hard behind her.

The bar falls silent as my hands curl into fists. I should go after her, but I’m frozen, as I’m left staring at the empty space where she just was. I feel every word Brielle spoke like a weight pressing into my heart.

I finally had her in my arms after all this time. Now she’s gone, and I didn’t do a damn thing to stop it.