Reclaimed Roots

A SABLE POINT NOVEL

LAUREN KISER

Copyright © 2025 by Lauren Kiser

All rights reserved.

Editor: Margaret Stephens, www.thegentlepen.com

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Content Warning

Reclaimed Roots contains themes of grief over the loss of a parent, addiction, and substance abuse. If you are sensitive to these subjects, please use this information to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with this story.

Prologue

"When I grow up, I want a big family. I hate being an only child."

"But you have us. You're practically an Everton kid."

"Yeah, I guess."

"None of that shit. You're an Everton. And one day, I'll give you the last name too."

"As long as we live anywhere but Sable Point.

"You really want to leave?"

"Small-town life just isn't for me. But I know you want⁠—"

"We can live wherever you want, babe. Doesn't matter to me as long as I'm with you."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Chapter One

JASPER

Funerals suck.

A miserable gathering where everyone is forced to confront their own mortality is the worst kind of social obligation. At twenty-five, I should have considered myself lucky that this was the first one I'd ever had to attend, but I already knew it wasn't an experience I was anxious to repeat.

The church pew was like an icy slab against my back. I shifted uncomfortably and stared at the ornate casket at the front. I was sure no one actually enjoyed funerals—maybe if you stood to inherit millions or you murdered the person. But that wasn't the case here. Edward Choi was an exceptionally good man.

He'd been the orchard's accountant for my entire life; his small accounting firm in downtown Sable Point took care of most of the local businesses. Except for Vintage Point Vineyards because, of course, the Belmontes were far too superior to use a small-town firm like the Chois'. But he was more than the town's go-to numbers guy. Ed was like a second father to me.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, hoping to steady the chaos in my head. Why did the good ones always go too soon? If there were any justice in the world, a guy like Ed should have lived to see a hundred, surrounded by grandkids and still cracking jokes about the IRS. The last time I saw him, he looked tired, but he still flashed that warm, fatherly smile when I walked into his office. We talked about the orchard's books, but mostly we just caught up. If I'd known it was my last chance to speak to him, I would have stayed longer.

Natalie was sitting in the front row, shoulders hunched, dabbing at her eyes with a crumpled tissue. Her long, silken black hair flowed over her shoulders and, from this angle, it obscured most of her face. But when she reached up and swept her hair to one side, exposing the slender column of her neck, it was just enough to spark unwanted memories. She looked more gorgeous than I remembered, and that was saying something because I remembered her in vivid, technicolor detail.

My gaze lingered on her lips—the most kissable pale pink lips I'd ever had the pleasure of tasting. And, fuck me, it was a pleasure every damn time. I could almost feel their softness again, the way they'd part with a sigh when we⁠—

Fuck. Stop. Not the time or the place.

But my mind was a runaway train, and I was helpless to derail it. I thought about the nights we spent wrapped around each other, the stolen moments in her father's office when he stepped out for a coffee. We were young and reckless. We thought we had all the time in the world. Seeing her brought it all rushing back—the passion, the tenderness, the foolish hope that something real could come of us.

I wondered if she was thinking about those times too. About me. About us. It was natural that she'd be consumed by the loss of her father, especially a father like Ed. But a selfish part of me hoped she was hurting for other reasons too, that she missed me even a fraction as much as I missed her.

It was the first time I'd seen her in years. Watching her walk into the church hit like a Mack truck with failing brakes. Intellectually, I knew she'd be here, but I hadn't been emotionally ready to see her. Especially not with her boyfriend—some generic pretty boy in an ill-fitting suit, his arm draped around her shoulders like he had any fucking clue what she was going through.

I thought I could handle seeing her again. I'd been preparing to greet her with the cool detachment of an old friend. How stupidly optimistic of me.

Her boyfriend whispered something in her ear, and she nodded slowly, her eyes distant and glassy. I could almost convince myself that she was going through the motions, that his presence was more for show than for comfort. But who was I kidding? They walked in holding hands, for Christ's sake. He was probably a decent guy, the kind who took her out to fancy dinners and traveled with her to exotic places. Someone she could build a life with.

A life. That's what stung the most. The realization that she'd found someone while I was still stuck in the past. How long had they been together? Did they meet in college? At a conference? Maybe he'd been a shoulder to cry on when Ed's health started to decline. However it happened, it was clear he was more than a fling.

I should've known she wouldn't stay single for seven years. Not that I'd been celibate. But each fling had been just that—a brief, passionless encounter that left me emptier than before. I'd kiss them and wait for the spark that never came, touch them and feel nothing but the coldness of my own detachment. It was unfair to them, and I knew it. But I hoped that going through the motions would somehow jumpstart my heart, make me forget her. It never worked.

No one compared. No one was worth the time. The effort. The heartache.

No one except her.

It was probably why I knew so little about what her life looked like now. It hurt too much. I didn't bother with social media, and everyone in Sable Point knew better than to bring her up around me. Anytime I saw Marie or Edward Choi in town or at a family dinner, they studiously avoided talking about their only daughter.

Everyone knew that she had moved on, and I hadn't.

And I felt like a fool.

Again.

Chapter Two

NATALIE

I felt his eyes on me.

I was doing my best not to squirm, but something about Jasper Everton's presence was making my skin itch.

"You okay, babe?"

Liam squeezed my shoulder while I tried to ignore the prickle at the back of my neck.

Of course I wasn't fucking okay.

My dad was dead. My mother was a wreck. My life was a mess.

I knew what was expected of me, but this was the first time I'd set foot in Sable Point in seven years, and I couldn't stay.

My parents knew it was hard for me to come back there, so they always came to me. Even after Dad got sick, we'd meet halfway for dinner, just to spend a few hours together before going our separate ways back home. Anything more than that was too much for him, but they'd never pushed me to visit Sable Point.

"I'm fine," I told Liam, forcing a smile.

We'd been dating for six months, but he'd never had the opportunity to meet my dad. They would have gotten along well enough, but Dad was always a little cold to my boyfriends. At least, since him. Dad was loyal, that much was certain.

Suddenly, I felt more eyes on me. They didn't make me break out in hives, but they did tell me it was my turn to speak.

I rose to my feet and climbed the sanctuary steps to the podium. The pastor gave me a small hug before taking his seat.

"My father, Edward Choi, was the most incredible man I've ever known."

My eyes swept over the sea of familiar faces, all turned towards me with expressions of sympathy and shared grief.

"Dad once told me, 'Numbers are easy. It's people who take work. They need your time, your attention, your support.'"

I paused and let the memory settle over me. I was thirteen years old, lying on my stomach on the floor of his office. I'd asked him if he liked his job, and when he'd said yes, I asked what he loved most. His answer was the people.

"No one believed in people—in this community—like my father. He loved every single one of you. He shared your dreams and your fears. He poured his heart and soul into helping you succeed because he was living out his dream here in Sable Point.

"He was eighteen when he came to this country. He left his entire family back in Seoul, determined to make a new life for himself, to chase his dreams.

"And that was when he met my mom. For nearly thirty years, they faced life's joys and challenges hand-in-hand, lifting each other up and supporting one another through thick and thin. Theirs was a love story for the ages, an inspiration to everyone who knew them.

"As for me, well, my dad was my guiding light. He believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. He encouraged me to chase my dreams, to never settle for less than I deserved. And he loved me, unconditionally and fiercely, every single day of my life.

"Losing him is like losing a piece of myself. But I know that he'll always be with me, with all of us. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, the hearts he opened. He was a rare and special man, and I count myself incredibly lucky to have been his daughter."

As I spoke, I locked eyes with Jasper. In that moment, the grieving faces and soft sound of collective sniffles faded away. All that was left was the two of us, connected by a shared love for the man who meant so much to us both.

Fresh tears prickled, and I gripped the podium tighter, willing myself to hold it together. "Thank you all for being here today," I managed, my voice wavering only slightly. "Your love and support mean more to Mom and me than you could possibly know."

With that, I stepped down on shaky legs and made my way back to my seat. As I slid into the pew beside my mother, she reached over and took my hand, squeezing it gently.

As the service continued, I couldn't shake the feeling of Jasper's eyes on me, couldn't ignore the tug of old memories and unanswered questions. Coming back to Sable Point was even harder than I had anticipated. Being here, surrounded by all these reminders of my past, of the life I left behind... it was stirring up emotions I thought I buried long ago.

After the service, we filed out of the church and into the bright sunlight of the parking lot. I blinked against the glare, my eyes raw and swollen from crying. Liam hovered at my elbow, his presence suffocating. I needed air, needed space to breathe and think and just be.

"I'm gonna go check on my mom," I murmured, gently extricating myself from his grasp. I weaved through the clusters of mourners, offering nods and weak smiles as I went. Mom was standing near the church steps, deep in conversation with Pastor Dan. As I approached, she turned to me with red-rimmed eyes and a watery smile.

"Natalie, sweetheart," she said, pulling me into a hug. "That was a beautiful eulogy. Your father would have been so proud."

I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat. "Thanks, Mom. You doing okay?"

She gave a small shrug, her smile faltering. "As well as can be expected, I guess. It still doesn't feel real, ya know? I keep expecting him to walk through the door, to hear his voice..." she trailed off, her eyes misting over again.

I nodded, blinking back my own tears. "I know. It's gonna take time."

My gaze drifted over the crowd, and I stiffened as I saw a familiar figure making his way towards us. Tall and broad-shouldered, with that tousled dark hair I used to love running my fingers through. Jasper looked as handsome as ever in his charcoal suit coat, crisp white shirt, and what I could only describe as his "nice" jeans. Our eyes met. I felt a familiar tug below my breastbone as some long dormant instinct pulled me toward him.

But I wasn't that lovesick teenager anymore. I was a grown woman with a life back in the city—a well-paying job, a handsome boyfriend, neighbors who relied on me for a cup of sugar now and again. Whatever Jasper and I'd had, it was ancient history now.

I started to turn away, but Mom's hand on my arm stopped me. "Natalie, I know you're avoiding him. But Jasper is practically family."

I sighed. She was right. I couldn't dodge Jasper forever. Not in a town this small, where our parents had been friends since before we were born.

"I know, Mom. It's just hard. Being back here, seeing him again."

My mother's eyes softened, and she squeezed my hand again.

"I get it, honey. But you can't run from this forever. The sooner you face him head on, the sooner you can start to heal. To move forward. Both of you." She gave me a pointed look. "Trust me. I know things."

I huffed out a shaky laugh at the familiar words—one of Mom's catchphrases. They used to drive me nuts as a kid, but today, it eased the tight knot in my chest. "Okay, okay. I'll talk to him. But not here, not now. I need a little time to prepare myself first."

"Good. You two have a lot to catch up on."

I gave her a small smile and headed off to find Liam. When I glanced back, Jasper had reached my mom and pulled her into what I knew from experience was an epically comforting hug.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't little Miss Natalie."

I turned around and the oldest of the Everton twins—by three minutes—seized me in his big, burly lumberjack arms and squeezed me tight.

"Hey, Elliot. It's good to see you."

"You, too, kid. It's been too long."

Double vision kicked in. Elliot pulled back, and I was met with the sweet to his sour. While identical in looks, Elliot and Chase Everton could not have been more different. Where Elliot was disciplined, put together, and maybe a little rigid, Chase was chaotic and messy but a hell of a lot of fun.

"Natty Light!" I was wrapped in a second bear hug as Chase lifted me off my feet and spun me around. "God, I've missed you, girl. This town is boring as shit without you."

He set me back down, and I laughed despite myself. Even today, Chase's energy was infectious. "I've missed you too, Chaser. Keeping out of trouble?"

"Now where would be the fun in that?"

Elliot shook his head. "One of these days, brother, your shenanigans are going to land you in hot water."

"Yeah, yeah." Chase waved his words away. "Life's too short to always play by the rules. Right, Nat?"

Our eyes met, a silent acknowledgment passing between us. Chase understood me like few others. We were cut from the same restless cloth. But while I yearned for something beyond the safe confines of Sable Point, Chase was desperate for his own identity—freedom from standing in his brother's shadow and the weight of family expectations.

Chase was the only Everton I'd seen in the years since I left town. He regularly ditched his responsibilities at Ever Eden Orchard and hopped in the car to visit me at college. He'd drink all my friends under the table and then crash on my floor. I knew he felt like he missed out on a lot by not leaving home for college. All the Everton boys had gotten degrees from the local community college. That way, they could stay close to the orchard and help out at harvest time. But their baby sister, Charlie, had been granted a full ride to the state college and was currently finishing her degree a few hours away. I'd always loved sweet, quiet Charlie, and I was sad I wouldn't see her today—something about a final she couldn't miss. But she'd called to offer her condolences.

"Hey, babe. You ready to head to the wake?" Liam appeared at my side, slipping an arm around my waist.

Chase raised an eyebrow. "And who might this be?"

I forced a tight smile. "Liam, this is Chase and Elliot Everton, my... old friends." The pause was barely perceptible, but Chase caught it. His lips twitched. "Guys, this is my boyfriend, Liam."

"Boyfriend, huh?" Chase looked him up and down. "Didn't realize our Natty was off the market."

Liam's hand tightened on my hip. "A lot can change in seven years."

An awkward beat passed before Elliot cleared his throat. "We should probably head over to the house. Mom will be expecting us."

"He's right," I said, eagerly grasping the escape route. "We don't want to keep everyone waiting."

I slipped from Liam's hold, moving to embrace the twins one more time. As I pulled back from Chase, he leaned in, his whisper a hot brush against my ear. "We'll catch up later."

I stiffened, suddenly a little nauseous. I loved Chase like a brother, but the look he gave me as he pulled back gave me anything but brotherly vibes.

Chapter Three

JASPER

My hackles rose as I watched Chase with Natalie.

I didn't like the way he was fucking looking at her, the way his eyes followed her as she walked away. Before I could stop myself, I was barreling toward him, right past Natalie and her boyfriend. I ignored them completely, though I didn't miss Natalie's eyes widening as I approached.

"The fuck are you doing?" I barked at my brother.

"Don't know what you mean, Jas."

"Get fucked, Chase. Stop drooling over Natalie."

"I'm not drooling over her, ya douche. She's my friend."

I loved my brother, but he had about as much impulse control as a sugar-crazed toddler. And when it came to Natalie, I didn't trust him as far as I could throw him—which wasn't far since he had a couple of inches on me.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Just behave, okay? She's going through enough right now without you making a mess of things."

"Relax, bro. I'm not trying to step on your territory."

"She's not my territory," I gritted out.

"Right, she belongs to Liam now."

"She doesn't belong to anyone, you tool." My voice dropped to a low warning. "I mean it, Chase. Don't stir up any shit."

"Jesus, okay! Message received." He shook his head. "You know, you really need to remove the stick from your ass. Maybe get laid while you're at it."

I flipped him the bird as he sauntered off, no doubt to cause trouble elsewhere. I rolled my shoulders and blew out a long breath. Having Natalie back in town was messing with my head. Seeing her again, being near her... it was bringing up feelings I didn't want to examine too closely.

I took another breath, trying to center myself.

"You okay, baby brother?"

"Yeah, El. I'm fine."

He simply nodded in his quiet, reassuring way. "Chase doesn't mean anything by it. He's just an idiot. You know that."

"I do."

Elliot clapped a big hand on my shoulder. "Let's head up to the house and see if Mom needs anything."

Twenty minutes later, I was lugging four bags of ice from the freezer in the barn back toward the house. I almost dropped them when Natalie stepped onto the back porch. Standing in the early afternoon light, gazing out at the endless rows of trees on Ever Eden Orchard, she was like a painting come to life. My steps faltered just before I reached the deck, but I recovered in time to climb the stairs without falling flat on my face.

When I reached the top, she turned to face me, visibly panicked.

"Hi," she said.

That's it.

Hi.

After seven years.

All I got was a hi.

I wanted to be kind. I wanted to be understanding. I wanted to hug her and tell her how sorry I was about her dad.

But I didn't.

A muscle ticked in my jaw as I muttered out a terse "Natalie" in greeting.

I moved to walk past her, and she whirled on me.

"That's it? That's all you have to say to me?"

"Yeah, Nat. That's it."

I threw the words over my shoulder without even bothering to turn around. I felt like a complete asshole, but goddamn, I was drowning in emotions. In that moment, I didn't know how to be anything else. So I kept walking, leaving the only girl I'd ever loved alone on the porch—the same porch we stood on the first time I kissed her when we were twelve.

Chapter Four

NATALIE

Jasper Everton was a dickhead.

Seven years could really change a person. The Jasper I knew would never have walked away from me like that.

Then again, maybe I deserved it.

The warm, fragrant breeze carried the scent of apple blossoms, dredging up bittersweet memories of endless summers spent exploring those orchards with Jasper and his siblings. A lifetime ago, when things had been simpler. When Jasper and I were⁠—

"Penny for your thoughts?"

I started at the sound of Liam's voice behind me. Forcing a smile, I turned to face him. "Hey. I was just... taking in the view."

He slid an arm around my waist, and I stiffened involuntarily. If he noticed, he didn't let on. "It's pretty out here. Peaceful."

"Yeah. It is."

"Babe, are you okay? You seem kinda off."

I wasn't sure if it was the fact that Jasper clearly hated me or that Liam was driving me crazy, but I snapped.

"Of course I'm fucking off, Liam! My dad is dead!"

"Nat, I'm sorry. I didn't mean⁠—"

"I just needed a little space, okay?"

"Yeah, sure." He nodded and pressed a kiss to my temple. "I'll be inside if you need me."

Liam wasn't a bad person. In fact, he was rather sweet. But it didn't change the fact that I didn't love him, and I never would. I knew I should end things with him. He was just another man in a long line of distractions, helping me avoid the one thing I knew with absolute certainty.

I had ruined any chance I'd had with the man who was made for me.

The cold detachment in Jasper's eyes cut me to the core. But what had I expected? After all, I was the one who'd left.

I wrapped my arms around myself, as if that would somehow hold together all the broken pieces inside me. God, I'm a mess.

I was just beginning to feel safe in my solitude when I heard my name from behind me.

"Natalie!" The high-pitched voice grated against my ears. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "I'm so sorry for your loss."

Sammy Thompson was as beautiful as ever.

My polite smile felt more like a grimace. "Thank you, Sammy."

Seven years had passed, yet she looked exactly the same as she had in high school. Her golden hair cascaded in perfect waves, framing her flawlessly made-up face. All that was missing was the cheerleading uniform.

Some things never change.

"It's been so long," Sammy cooed, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "How have you been?"

"I've been⁠—"

"Oh, sweetie, I'm sure it's been just awful for you. Living in the big city, all alone. But I suppose it was for the best that you left when you did." Sammy's eyes glittered with malicious glee. "After all, if you hadn't run off, Jasper might never have discovered his true feelings."

The implication hit me like a punch to the gut. Jasper and Sammy? Together?

No. No, no, no.

"What do you mean?" I choked out, hating how weak my voice sounded.

Sammy's smile widened, shark-like. "Oh, you know how these things go." She paused and examined her perfectly manicured nails. "I was there to pick up the pieces when you broke his heart. And, well, one thing led to another."

My head spun. The scents of the orchard, so comforting moments ago, now made me want to vomit. I struggled to draw a full breath, my chest constricting painfully.

"Anyway," Sammy continued, clearly relishing my discomfort, "I just wanted to thank you. Your absence was truly a gift. Jasper and I are quite happy."

"Delighted for you," I forced out, a chilly calm settling in.

Sammy leaned in even closer, faux-concern creasing her forehead. "Just remember, Natalie, everything happens for a reason. Sometimes the past is better left where it belongs."

She turned and sashayed away, leaving me reeling.

This can't be happening.

I took a deep breath. Jasper and Sammy were the least of my problems. I was at my father's wake, after all.

I waited for my heart to stop racing then turned back to head into the house.

But my hand froze on the brass handle as Jasper's voice drifted through the gap in the French doors.

"You did what you had to do. The irrigation lines weren't going to pay for themselves."

Irrigation lines? That was a fifty-thousand-dollar project, minimum. The accountant in me automatically started running calculations—depreciation schedules, tax implications, cash flow projections. Even now, I couldn't turn off the part of my brain that organized the world into neat columns of numbers. Like Dad always said, numbers are easy. Numbers are safe. People, on the other hand...

I watched Jasper's reflection lean against the hallway wall. Even through the wavy glass, I could see his shoulders were tight with tension.

Elliot stood before him, arms crossed. His posture radiated that aura of older-brotherly concern that used to make me feel so safe, back when I had any right to consider myself part of the family.

"I know," he said. "I just hate what we had to do to get the money."

My fingers twitched, itching to grab my phone and pull up the orchard's financial statements. Dad would've known exactly how to structure this, how to make the numbers dance. The ache of loss behind my ribs threatened to overwhelm me.

"We didn't have a choice," Jasper growled. "The old system was failing. One more dry season and we'd have lost half the southeast quadrant."

I bit my lip. The southeast quadrant—that was where the heritage trees were, the ones Jay's grandfather planted. Those trees were the heart of Ever Eden. No wonder Jasper pushed through such an expensive upgrade.

"Don't tell Mom," Elliot said. "She'll lose it."

Jasper rubbed the back of his neck. I recognized the movement. His stressed mannerisms hadn't changed. "She's going to find out eventually. Better it comes from you."

I pushed through the heavy door. The ancient hinges protested with a long creak that made both brothers snap their heads toward me. Jasper's eyes locked onto mine, and that cold detachment from earlier had shifted to a blazing intensity scorching across the space between us. The heat of his gaze made my skin buzz.

I hurried past them, weaving between clusters of black-clad mourners. The hallway felt endless, packed with too many sympathetic faces and outstretched hands wanting to pat my shoulder or pull me into suffocating hugs. Where is Mom? I couldn't handle one more 'sorry for your loss' right now.

"Natalie." Jasper's deep, commanding voice rang out behind me.

My steps faltered. Keep walking. Don't turn around. Don't let him see how much it still affects me when he says my name like that.

But my body wouldn't cooperate. It knew what it wanted, and it was done listening to my stupid brain. My muscles tensed, and I froze in place. The sound of his footsteps grew closer and closer until I could feel the heat radiating off him just inches away.

I spotted Mom standing near the stone fireplace. Liam hovered beside her while Emma and Jay flanked them like protective sentries.

The sight of my mother snapped me back to reality, and I hurried across the room, putting distance between me and Jasper's pursuing footsteps. Emma's face brightened at my approach. She opened her arms and engulfed me in a warm hug that smelled of cinnamon and fresh-baked apples. It reminded me of countless childhood afternoons spent perched on her kitchen counter, sneaking bits of cinnamoned apples while she pretended not to notice.

"Hi, sweet girl," she murmured against my hair. "We've missed you so much."

The lump in my throat swelled. Jay stepped forward next, wrapping me in strong arms that felt so much like Dad's that tears sprang to my eyes. His familiar Old Spice cologne mingled with engine grease and earth—the smell of safety, of home.

"Your father was one of the good ones." Jay's gruff voice rumbled against my temple.

Jasper had given up his pursuit, taking up a spot in the corner of the room with a brooding Elliot and a grinning Chase. His eyes were still on me, though.

I let Liam put his arm around me, the fabric of his suit scratching against my cheek. So different from the soft, worn flannel that used to warm my skin on chilly nights. His scent was a blend of sandalwood and something musky. Expensive but somehow artificial. He smelled like the city.

"You holding up okay?" His voice held genuine concern as he squeezed my shoulder.

"I'm fine," I lied, plastering on another fake smile. I wondered how long I could keep this up before my face cracked.

His arm settled more firmly around me. The gesture was meant to comfort, but his touch felt like a straitjacket.

Jasper's gaze burned into me from across the room, setting my nerve endings crackling with awareness. Stop looking at him. Stop remembering how his calloused hands felt sliding under your shirt, how his lips tasted like apple cider and temptation.

"Would you like something to drink?" Liam asked.

I shook my head, pressing closer into his side, resisting the magnetic pull from Jasper's corner. Liam's heart beat steady and predictable under my ear—nothing like the wild thunder that used to pound through Jasper's chest when I'd curl against him.

What am I doing? The thought hit like a physical blow. I'm standing at my father's wake, comparing my current boyfriend to my ex.

A fresh wave of grief and guilt crashed over me. My fingers dug into Liam's suit coat, seeking an anchor, but I was distracted by the rough texture and how wrong it felt against my skin.

"How's city life treating you both?" Emma's warm tone held genuine interest, but there was something else beneath it.

Liam launched into a long speech about our Chicago life. His hand cut through the air, sketching invisible blueprints of the luxury condo he'd already picked out for us. His description was polished and glossy, like he was delivering a sales pitch. An insane part of my brain was waiting for him to hand out brochures and produce a meticulously detailed PowerPoint.

"The building has amazing amenities—private gym, rooftop garden. And the location is perfect, just three blocks from Nat's office." He talked about my future like it was set in stone, each word another brick in a wall I never agreed to build. "We're thinking of moving in together this summer after our leases are up, aren't we, babe?"

My smile felt frozen, muscles straining to maintain the polite expression as Liam rambled about square footage and crown molding. My hand drifted to the hem of my black dress, worrying the soft fabric between thumb and forefinger. Emma's knowing gaze tracked the movement. She'd seen me do this a thousand times, usually right before I'd confessed to sneaking in through the second-story window to sleep in Jasper's bed.

"The master bath has this incredible soaking tub," Liam continued, gesturing enthusiastically. "And the walk-in closet is practically the size of your current bedroom, Nat."

The fabric wrinkled between my fingers, creating tiny pleats that matched the growing knots in my stomach. When did I become a passenger in my own life?

Emma caught my eye. She was looking at me with that same maternal concern that used to make me spill all my secrets. She could already see that I was suffocating in this perfect life Liam was building around me.

A deep chuckle from across the room drew my attention. Jasper threw his head back in genuine laughter at something Chase had said. The sound wrapped around me like a warm blanket. All at once, I was a teenager again, sprawled in the bed of his pickup truck under a star-filled sky.

"The view from the master bedroom is incredible," Liam gushed. "You can see the whole city skyline."

Mom's hand pressed against my back. The familiar, soothing touch steadied my trembling muscles.

Emma and Jay shared that look—the same one they'd exchanged during those explosive teenage fights that would send Jasper storming out to the orchard and me to the kitchen to cry on Emma's shoulder. Hot discomfort squirmed in my stomach. I wondered if I was this transparent to everyone or just to people who had known me since I was in diapers. This was why I'd been dreading coming back here. You couldn't hide from people who had known you all your life.

"And of course," Liam continued, "once we're settled, we can start thinking about the next step."

My eyes widened. Oh god, please don't let him be talking about what I think he's talking about.

"Excuse me," I murmured, extracting myself from his grip. "I just need a minute."

I elbowed my way through the crowd, jostling people aside as I fled toward the kitchen door. Behind me, I heard the low rumble of Jasper's voice asking someone to "give her space."

Even after all this time, he knows exactly what I need.

Chapter Five

NATALIE

Waking up in my childhood bedroom felt like taking a trip with Doc in the DeLorean. For a split second, I expected to hear Dad whistling as he made breakfast downstairs, the aroma of his famous blueberry pancakes wafting up to greet me.

But reality came crashing back. Dad was gone. And I was left with an ache in my chest and a head full of memories.

I stretched and sat up, glancing at my phone.

LIAM

Had to head back to the city but didn't want to wake you. Enjoy the time with your mom and call me if you need me. I love you.

NATALIE

K, thanks. Love you.

A pang of guilt hit me. Liam had been nothing but supportive through all this, even if he didn't quite get my complicated history here. I needed to woman up and end things. It wasn't fair to keep stringing him along.

I threw on some clothes and headed downstairs. Mom was at the kitchen table, clutching a mug of tea and staring blankly out the window. She looked so small, so fragile. It broke my heart.

"Morning, Mom." I dropped a kiss on her head before pouring myself some tea.

She startled slightly, pulling herself out of her daze. "Oh. Hi, honey. Sleep okay?"

"Yeah, fine." I slid into the chair across from her. "How are you doing?"

She attempted a brave smile. "I'm managing. One moment at a time, right?"

I nodded. "Listen, I was thinking we could go to Dad's office today? Start sorting through things?"

What I didn't say was that the sooner we got this over with, the sooner I could get out of Sable Point. I hated the idea of leaving her, but I couldn't be here.

Mom took a shaky breath. "I suppose we should. Your father loved that place. Put his whole heart into building that business."

"He did. And he'd want us to... figure out the best path forward."

Uncertainty clouded Mom's eyes. "Natalie, we need to discuss the future of the firm. Whether to sell or..."

She trailed off, but I knew what she was hinting at. The possibility of me taking over had been hanging in the air since Dad's diagnosis.

But everything happened so fast.

I wrapped my hands tighter around my mug. "I know, Mom. And I'm not sure what the right answer is. But I think going to the office, being in that space, it might give us some clarity."

It was a lie. I'd already made my decision. Sort out the accounts. Get all the documentation in order. Sell the business.

But she wasn't ready to hear that. I'd break it to her eventually.

"You're right." Mom leaned over and squeezed my hand. "Your father always said you had a good head on your shoulders. He had so much faith in you, Natalie. In your strength, your resilience."

I shifted in my seat and tightened my grip on my mug. "I hope I can live up to that. To him."

"You already do, honey. Every single day."

We finished our tea in contemplative silence. Then we gathered our things and headed to the heart of Sable Point.

The bell above the door jingled as Mom and I walked into the modest brick building that housed Choi Accounting. At one time, that sound was comforting, now it set my teeth on edge.

Jeanette, Dad's secretary of twenty years, greeted us with red-rimmed eyes. "It just hit me all over again when I came into work today and he wasn't here." She hugged Mom tightly before composing herself. "I know I've said it a hundred times at this point, but I'm so darn sorry for your loss. Ed was the best boss I ever had. The best man."

Mom returned her embrace and patted her gently on the back. "Thank you, Jeanette. He adored you, you know."

Jeanette tutted and waved a flappy hand. "I hear you've been making quite the name for yourself in Chicago, Miss Natalie." She shot me an appraising look as she continued. "Your dad was so proud—always bragging about his hotshot daughter in the big city."

Another wave of regret seeped over me, leaving me hot and queasy. How many family occasions had I blown off while climbing the corporate ladder? Repeatedly telling myself I'd do better next year. Now it was too late. I could never reclaim that time now that Dad was gone.

"I don't know about hotshot," I managed, glancing at Mom before turning back to Jeanette. "But I did learn from the best." An uncomfortable silence settled between the three of us—like we were all waiting for Dad to stroll through the door. "Maybe we should..." I gestured toward his office.

"Of course." Jeanette nodded and stepped aside to let us through. "I haven't touched anything. It's all just as he left it."

Mom's hand trembled slightly while turning the doorknob to Dad's office—a room frozen in time, with its heavy oak desk, wall of filing cabinets, and framed photos capturing our family history through the years. Mom and Dad at their wedding, the father-daughter dance in second grade, our first trip to Seoul.

A photographic timeline of my achievements—high school graduation, where I'd been named valedictorian; college graduation, where I'd earned summa cum laude; a dinner celebrating my first big promotion after only nine months on the job.

And there, in the midst of the memories, was the cluttered desk and Dad's worn leather chair. For a second, I saw him sitting there, glasses perched on his nose as he poured over a ledger.

But the chair was empty. And it would stay that way.

Mom moved to the wall of filing cabinets, running her fingers over the labels. "Thirty years of clients. He cared for every account like it was his own money."

Pride and pain twisted inside me. "He was the best at what he did."

"He really was."

Mom and I settled ourselves in his office. By unspoken agreement, we each took a guest chair, leaving Dad's seat vacant. Our first task was to clear the desk, emptying drawers and sifting through loose papers. It was mundane work on the surface, but the finality of it pressed on my chest.

As we worked, Mom shared stories—little anecdotes and memories of Dad. The time he worked until midnight to help a client facing an audit. The way he'd always buy Girl Scout cookies from every kid who came to the office, even though he was trying to watch his sugar. His corny jokes that never failed to make his clients laugh.

Listening to her, absorbing these glimpses into the daily rhythms of his life, it was a strange mix of comforting and gut-wrenching. Each story was a precious insight, but it was also a reminder of the moments we'd lost, all the new memories we'd never get to make.

"Remember that time Jasper and I came here after school and hid in the bathroom until Dad walked in?" I asked. "Oh my gosh, Mom. I don't think I'd ever heard Dad scream as loud as he did when we jumped out at him."

Mom and I burst into a fit of giggles, breaking the somber mood.

"This is how he'd want things to be. He'd want us to be laughing. To remember the happy times," Mom said.

"I wish I'd made more memories here with him the last few years."

"Just because we weren't here in Sable Point doesn't mean we didn't make great memories together."

"But I should have been here when he was sick."

"You couldn't have known it would happen so fast, Natalie. We all thought there'd be more time."

It gave me some measure of comfort to know she didn't blame me for not being there in his last moments. But a well of guilt remained in my stomach, deep and dark and unwilling to dry up.

We spent the next few hours sorting, organizing, and making lists of what needed to be done. I threw myself into the mind-numbing work, grateful for the distraction.

As I was cross-referencing some files, Mom cleared her throat. "Natalie, I've been talking to our lawyer."

I froze, a cold dread seeping through me. I couldn't run from this conversation forever.

Mom continued, "We have a few options. We could sell the business if we can find a buyer. Or..." She looked at me intently. "Or you could take over."

My head snapped up as she carried on.

"Your father always said he wanted to pass it down to you someday, but..."

But I'd left. I ran away to the city, to a shiny corporate accounting job—a life far removed from the small-town roots that had started to feel more like shackles than a safety net.

"Mom, I..." My throat tightened. "I can't. I mean, I have my job in Chicago, and..." And I was a coward. A selfish coward who was terrified of letting people down, of not measuring up to the impossible standards I set for myself. Terrified of settling down in a small town and watching all my dreams wither and die. Of being forced to see Jasper day in and day out, a constant reminder that I'd ruined my only chance at real love.

"I want to do right by his clients. They'll be in better hands with someone more qualified." The lie tasted like acid on my tongue, but I pressed on. "I don't have his years of experience, his goodwill in the community. Maybe it's better to just sell. Let someone else carry the torch."

"Oh, honey." Mom squeezed my hands. "No one expects you to be your father. You'll carry on his legacy in your own way, on your own terms. And everyone in Sable Point adores you. They watched you grow up. They'll rally around you."

She paused, making sure to catch my gaze. "But only if it's what you truly want. Your dad, he'd never want you to take this on out of obligation. He'd want you to pursue your own dreams. Whether that's here in Sable Point or back in the city or anywhere in between."

I studied the photos on Dad's wall while I let her words sink in. She was right. Dad always wanted me to follow my own path, even when it led me far from home. He'd told me not to let some misplaced sense of duty push me down a road that wasn't right for me.

And I had no intention of letting that happen.

Mom wandered over to Dad's chair and stroked the battered leather. "Natalie, no one would blame you for not wanting to upend your whole life. Your father would want you to do what makes you happy."

But what would make me happy? It was a question I'd been avoiding for far too long.

Mom gave me a sad smile, like she'd heard every one of my thoughts. "You don't have to make any decisions right now. Give yourself some time. I'll support you no matter what."

I nodded. She was right. I didn't have to figure out my entire future today. But I needed to do it soon.

"What do you say we call it a day?" Mom suggested. "We can come back tomorrow, keep chipping away."

"Sounds good. Maybe we can grab lunch at Rosie's? I've been dreaming about her grilled cheese."

"Rosie's it is."

Chapter Six

JASPER

I pulled up to the house just before noon. It was a rambling two-story colonial, full of nooks and crannies and surrounded by gardens that always seemed to be in bloom no matter the season.

Mom was an incredible gardener. Her love of nurturing plants was almost as strong as her love of baking. The whole property was a riot of color that time of year, a living work of art equal to any painting you'd find in a fancy museum.

I killed the engine and hopped out of the truck, stomach growling in anticipation. Sure enough, the moment I opened the front door, the smell of fresh-baked bread and hearty soup was like a warm hug.

"Mom? I'm home!"

"In the kitchen, honey!"

I followed the sound of her voice, my boots clomping across the hardwood floors. The kitchen was bright and airy. Sunlight streamed through the windows to light up the cozy space.

Being surrounded by the comfort of home instantly eased some of the tension that had been weighing on my shoulders. Emotions, simmering beneath the surface since Natalie left, were constantly threatening to boil over now she'd rolled back into town.

Mom stood at the counter, kneading a mound of dough with strong, sure strokes of her hands. She glanced up as I entered, her warm brown eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled.

"There's my hardworking boy. Lunch is just about ready."

I leaned down to drop a kiss on her cheek. "Smells amazing, as always."

"Well, aren't you just a sweet-talker today!" She swatted me with the dish towel slung over her shoulder. "Go wash up and grab your dad from the office. I'll have everything on the table in five."

I did as she asked, traipsing through the mudroom to the little home office just off the kitchen. Dad was hunched over the desk, squinting at something on the computer screen.

"Hey, Pops. Mom says it's time to eat."

He glanced up, smiling as he caught sight of me. "There's my guy. Give me one sec to finish this hand."

"Shouldn't you be doing something productive? Not playing online euchre at noon on a weekday?"

"Why the hell would I do that? I didn't raise three boys just so I could work myself into an early grave."

I snorted, shaking my head. "Fair enough. Though I'm pretty sure you'd go stir-crazy if you actually retired."

Leaning against the desk, I fiddled with a paperweight shaped like an apple. The smooth, cool surface prompted a flood of memories—childhood summers spent in this very office. Dad teaching us the ins and outs of the business while Elliot listened earnestly, Chase goofed around, and I tried my best to pay attention while constantly glancing out of the window, hoping to spot Natalie.

I wandered over to the window that looked out over the side yard and gardens. A flash of movement caught my eye. Elliot was striding across the lawn, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. He must have been working out in the east grove all morning.

"Ah-ha! Another win!" Dad pushed away from the desk and stretched his arms over his head with a groan. "These old bones aren't what they used to be."

I shot him a look. "You're not even sixty yet, old man. Quit your bellyaching."

He chuckled, reaching out to clap me on the shoulder as we headed for the kitchen. "Smart ass. Must be your mother's influence."

We returned to find a loaded basket of bread on the table and Mom ladling out steaming bowls of creamy vegetable soup. My mouth watered. There are few things better than Mom's home cooking when you're feeling like shit.

"This looks incredible, honey," Dad said, bending down to peck Mom's cheek. "You spoil us."

"Oh, hush. It's just a simple lunch. Now sit, both of you, before it gets cold."

We settled around the rustic farmhouse table. Elliot joined us a few moments later, stomping in from outside, breathing heavily and gleaming with sweat.

"Damn, it's a scorcher out there today," he said, sinking into the chair beside me. "Could fry an egg on the hood of the truck."

"Language," Mom chided, trying and failing to look stern. She knew better than anyone what kind of mouths her boys had on them. We had gotten them from her. Our mother put on a good show, but we all knew the truth. She was a foul-mouthed firecracker.

Our conversation settled into its usual rhythm as we ate, a comfortable stream of good-natured banter and reruns of the same old jokes we'd been telling for years. But my thoughts kept drifting back to Natalie. Her presence in Sable Point was dredging up a whole host of shit. I could pretend I'd dealt with these feelings long ago, that I was over her. But it would have been a lie.

I took a bite of the crusty bread and chewed a little too forcefully. Ordinary moments like this used to feel so comfortable and grounding. Now every tiny thing triggered a memory of Natalie and the life we almost had together.

Mom taught Natalie to make bread. It had been one of their favorite things to do together. Nat's first attempt had been delicious but misshapen. When she set it on the kitchen table, Chase was the first to pipe up that the loaf looked like a pair of boobs. The entire table had burst into laughter, and Natalie laughed right along with us.

"Jasper? You still with us?" Mom asked.

A large lump of bread tried to stick in my throat. I swallowed hard and forced a tight smile. "Sorry. You say something?

"I asked if you've spoken with Natalie."

"Said 'hi' at the wake, but that's about it."

"That boyfriend of hers seems nice," Dad said.

Elliot snorted into his soup. "Dude's a fucking tool."

"Elliot Michael!" Mom scolded.

"Sorry, but he is."

I hid my smile behind my glass of lemonade.

The conversation about Natalie and her boyfriend continued, but I was barely listening. I pushed my half-eaten soup away, appetite gone.

"You okay, sweetie?" Mom's concerned gaze moved from me to my abandoned bowl. "You've hardly touched your food."

I shrugged. The movement felt so fucking heavy. "Just not that hungry, I guess."

Elliot shot me a look. "Sure it's not because we're talking about a certain someone?"

"Drop it," I snarled, my tone harsher than intended.

An uncomfortable silence fell over the table. After a moment, Dad cleared his throat. "So, El, how are things going with the new irrigation system in the east grove?"

"It's coming along. Should be fully operational by next week if those storms we're supposed to get hold off long enough. Glad we had the capital to invest in it."

As Dad and El fell into shop talk, I sensed Mom's worried eyes on me. I knew she meant well, but her concern just made me feel worse. I was eighteen all over again, acting like a grumpy, lovesick teenager when I had shit to do.

Suddenly, the kitchen felt stifling. I stood abruptly, chair scraping against the floor. "Thanks for lunch, Mom. I should get back to work."

"But you've barely eat⁠—"

"I'm fine. Really. I just remembered something I need to take care of over in the barn."

"Okay. Can you do me a favor first?"

"What's that?"

"Drop off those tupperware containers to Nana and Papa for lunch?"

"Sure, no problem." Another lie. It was a big fucking problem. If I thought this lunch talking about Natalie was bad, it was about to be the Spanish fucking Inquisition with my nana.

Nana and Papa's living room was as cozy as ever, full of the comforting clutter of decades past. I slouched on the avocado-green couch and fidgeted with a crocheted throw pillow. The faint scent of apple pie wafted from the kitchen, rekindling my appetite.

"Well, did you talk to her?" Nana's voice cut through the silence, sharp as a paring knife.

"Who?"

"Don't play dumb with me, boy."

I sighed, sinking deeper into the worn cushions. "No, Nana. I didn't talk to her."

"And why the hell not?"

"Nothing to say, I guess," I mumbled, tracing the pattern on the pillow with my thumb.

Nana's weathered hands gripped her armchair, knuckles white. "You're a damned fool, Jasper Everton."

I looked up, meeting her steely gaze. "What is it that you'd like me to say to her?"

Before she could respond, Papa's heavy footsteps creaked down the hall. He appeared in the doorway, wiping engine grease from his hands with a rag. "What were you two carryin' on 'bout in here?"

I opened my mouth to reply but Nana was quicker off the mark. "Your grandson hasn't spoken with Miss Natalie yet."

Papa's bushy eyebrows furrowed as he shook his head. "Damned fool," he grunted. My insides shriveled at the disappointment in his voice.

"See?" Nana pointed a wrinkly finger in my direction as I pushed myself up from the couch.

"I really need to get back to the barn," I said, desperate for an escape. But Nana wasn't done with me yet.

She jerked her chin towards the kitchen. "There's a pie on the counter for Marie. Drop it off, will ya?"

"Am I everyone's errand boy today?"

"Maybe when you drop off the pie, you can pull your head out of your ass and talk to that girl."

I sighed and shook my head. "You swear like a sailor, Nana."

I leaned down to give her a peck on the cheek, but quick as a whip, her hand came up and swatted me over the head. I winced, more out of surprise than pain, and straightened up with a rueful chuckle. She might have been old, but there was nothing wrong with her reflexes.

I retreated to the kitchen and snagged the pie off the counter. As I headed for the door, I called over my shoulder, "Bye Nana. Bye Papa. I love you!"

Papa's gruff voice followed me out. "Love you, bud!"

I was almost home free when Nana's parting shot hit me square in the back. "Love you! Talk to her!"

I stepped out into the crisp early summer air and let the screen door slam behind me with a satisfying bang. I was wrong. The Spanish Inquisition had nothing on that woman.

Thankfully, when I dropped the pie off to Marie, Natalie was nowhere to be found.

Chapter Seven

NATALIE

I stared out the office window, my eyes roaming over the quaint stores lining Main Street. The scene was so achingly familiar—the corner bakery where Dad used to buy me cinnamon rolls on Saturday mornings, the bookshop where Jasper and I would hide away for hours, lost in stories and each other.

It was our third day in a row visiting Dad's office, and it still felt surreal.

"Natalie? You okay, honey?"

Mom's voice snapped me out of my reverie. I realized I'd been clutching the Ever Eden Orchard brochure in my hand—the one Dad had stashed away in the Everton file—and heat rose in my cheeks.

I cleared my throat. "Yeah, sorry. Just thinking."

"About Jasper?"

I gaped at her. "What? No. Why would you think that?"

Mom raised an eyebrow. "Give me a little credit, Nat. I'm your mother."

I sighed, tossing the brochure aside. "Ancient history. It doesn't matter now."

"Doesn't it? The way you two used to look at each other... that kind of love doesn't just go away."

I shrugged and tried to look absorbed in thumbing through a random box of files. "I'm with Liam now. And Jasper made it pretty clear at the funeral that he wants nothing to do with me."

"Can you blame him? The way things ended between you two..."

"I had to leave, Mom. You know that. I was suffocating here."

The words rang hollow. The truth was, I'd been running from more than just the claustrophobia of Sable Point. I'd been running from the intensity of my feelings for Jasper.

I knew deep down that he was it for me. That if I let myself love him fully, I'd never be able to leave. And I'd had plans—college, a career, a life that didn't revolve around apple harvests and small-town gossip.

So I'd broken both our hearts and fled for the city, telling myself it was for the best. That we were too young to know how we truly felt. That our love would never last.

But the joke was on me. Seven years later, and there was an ache so deep in my bones that I feared nothing would ever soothe it.

Seeing Jasper again, feeling that old pull, it made me wonder if I'd been lying to myself all along. Suddenly I was questioning everything I'd thought I wanted.

"I think I'm going to take a walk," I said, suddenly desperate for air and space, "clear my head a bit."

Mom nodded. "Take your time. I'll start sorting through these files, see what I can make sense of."

I kissed her cheek before grabbing my purse and heading for the door. The end-of-May sunshine warmed my skin and a light breeze ruffled my hair. It was still early, and Main Street was quiet. I wandered aimlessly, my feet carrying me past the familiar storefronts and tidy little flower beds.

I had no destination in mind, but I wasn't surprised when I ended up at the edge of the Evertons' orchard. Neat rows of apple trees stretched out before me, and bees hummed lazily from blossom to blossom. The late spring air was sweet with the promise of fruit to come.

So many hours spent here—as a kid, as a teenager, as a young woman drunk on her first love. Jasper and I practically lived in these trees, stealing kisses in the dappled shade, dreaming our big dreams under the stars.

I hadn't realized how much I missed this place. The peace of it, the connection to something older and deeper than myself.

I was pulled from my thoughts by the rumble of an engine, and I turned to see a battered pickup truck bumping down the orchard lane. It pulled to a stop a few yards away, and my heart stuttered as a familiar figure climbed out from behind the wheel.

Jasper.

I drank him in, really looked at him for the first time since my return. His chiseled jaw was dusted with scruff, those incredible cheekbones I used to love tracing with my fingertips were more defined than ever. His shoulders strained against his t-shirt, the fabric pulled taut over hard planes of muscle that definitely weren't there when we were kids.

He was all man now, rugged and powerful and... beautiful. That's the only word for it, as cliché as it sounded. The sight of him made my mouth water and my palms sweat.

A faint scar peeked through the stubble on his chin—he'd had it since he was ten. We were riding our bikes through the orchard, and he hit a fallen branch and rocketed over the handlebars, straight into the trunk of a tree.

It wasn't his only scar. There was another on the crown of his head, hidden beneath unruly chestnut waves and a backwards baseball cap. He had earned that one on the swing set in my backyard. We were fifteen, and he was showing off doing pull-ups—counting them out. When I'd promised him a kiss for each one he completed, he got a little too enthusiastic.

He pulled up too hard and hit his head on a rusty bolt. There was blood everywhere, pouring from the wound on his head. Dad came running when he heard me scream. I remembered how he'd scooped Jasper up in his arms despite the fact that Jasper had several inches and a couple dozen pounds on him. Adrenaline, I guessed.

Mom met us at the truck with a towel while Dad tucked Jasper safely into the backseat with me. "Apply pressure to his head, cricket," Dad instructed.

The memories sent a spasm of pain coursing through my chest, but I forced myself to meet Jasper's eyes—the same smoky amber that still haunted my dreams.

He stopped short when he saw me, surprise flickering across his face before it settled into a chilly mask. "Natalie. What are you doing here?"

His voice was rougher than I remembered, raspier. It sent a shiver skittering down my spine, even as I was bristling at the curt question.

"I was just walking. Needed some air." I lifted my chin. "Is that a problem?"

Something like amusement glinted in his eyes. "No, not a problem. It's a free country."

He moved to the back of the truck and began unloading crates of tools and supplies. I watched the flex of his shoulders, the surety of his movements. He'd always been at home here, in tune with the rhythm of the land. He belonged in Sable Point. I could never imagine him anywhere else.

"How's your mom doing?" he asked, his tone carefully neutral.

"She's... dealing." I toyed with the strap of my purse, suddenly uncertain. "We were just at Dad's office going through things, trying to decide what to do with the business."

Jasper nodded, avoiding my gaze. "That's good of you. I'm sure she appreciates the help."

There was no snark there, no hidden barb. But the impersonal politeness stung worse than any insult.

I stepped forward, nerves replaced with bubbling frustration. "Jasper, can we just—can we talk? Like really talk?"

He straightened slowly, his expression guarded. "About what?"

"About..." I waved a hand, encompassing the orchard, the years between us, the yawning chasm of all we'd left unsaid. "About everything. How we left things. I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry, I was just⁠—"

"Natalie. It's fine. It was a long time ago. We were kids."

But it wasn't fine, I could see it in the tension of his jaw, the shadow in his eyes. The wounds I had inflicted were still there, still raw.

"I never meant to hurt you." My whispered words floated between us, and my vision blurred. "I never wanted that."

Something flickered in his expression, a crack in the armor. "I know. But you did."

Three words, simple and devastating. But you did.

They landed like a physical blow, nearly knocking me back a step. Because he was right. I hurt him deeply. Apologies couldn't change that.

"I'm sorry." The words were woefully inadequate, but what else was there to say? "So, you and Sammy, huh?"

Jasper's harsh laugh cut through the air. "What? You didn't think you're still the only person I've fucked, did you?"

I winced at the crude language, so at odds with the gentle boy I once knew. But then, I wasn't the girl I once was either.

I groped for something to say, suddenly desperate to escape this conversation, this suffocating tension. "I—I should go."

I turned to leave, an uncomfortable mix of shame and guilt making my skin tingle. But Jasper's voice stopped me. "Natalie, wait."

I glanced back, worried he was ready to sling another verbal weapon. But he ran a hand through his hair. My heart clenched. I could still read his body language like an open book.

"Look," he said, "I appreciate the apology. And I'm sorry too. For acting like a dick. For how I reacted at the funeral. I was caught off guard, seeing you again. It opened a lot of old wounds."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He took a breath, like he was steeling himself for something.

"I don't know how to do this. How to be around you, talk to you like nothing happened. Like we're just old friends catching up."

"I don't either," I admitted. "But I'd like to try. If... if you're willing."

He was quiet for a moment, his eyes searching mine. "I'll try," he said at last. "But I need some time, Natalie. Time to adjust to you being back, to figure out how I feel about everything."

It wasn't forgiveness, but it was a start. It was more than I expected and more than I deserved. I'd take his tentative olive branch and hold it close.

"Okay." I nodded half a dozen times until I was sure I looked like the bobble head bouncing on the dash of his truck. "Of course I can give you time. As much as you need."

"Thank you," he said quietly. There was relief in his eyes and something warmer, more familiar. A glimpse of the twelve-year-old boy who used to look at me like I hung the moon.

I offered a wobbly smile. "I should probably get back. Mom's waiting."

He nodded, stepping back. "Yeah, I've got to get this stuff unloaded. I'll see you around, I guess."

"Sure. See you around," I echoed.

I turned and walked away, retracing my steps through the town. But this time, my heart felt lighter. I had blown my chances with Jasper, but maybe I could lay the ghost of our relationship to rest before I went back to the city. It was the right thing to do. The healthy thing to do. Hoping for anything else would be madness. My career, my future, and my life were in Chicago. I had left Sable Point behind a long time ago.

Still, as I made my way back to Main Street, I felt a rush of affection for the place that I hadn't felt for years. I thought of Dad, of the pride he always had in this town. Of the legacy he left behind. I wanted to honor that. I couldn't stay here, but I should stick around long enough to make sure his clients were in safe hands. Even if it meant I had to stay a little longer than I planned.

Chapter Eight

JASPER

I stood there like an idiot, staring after Natalie as she walked away. Her scent lingered—coconut and vanilla. She clearly still used the same shampoo.

Get a grip, Jas.

Shaking my head, I turned back to the truck and hefted another crate of supplies. My boots crunched over the dirt path as I made my way deeper into the leafy sanctuary of the orchard.

This place had always been my whole world. The rich, loamy scent of the soil, the gnarled trunks and twisted branches, the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze... it was all seared into my bones, my blood. Part of me in a way nothing—and no one—else could ever be.

I deposited the crates near the equipment shed and straightened, rolling my shoulders to work out the kinks. It had been a long morning already. I was up before dawn to get a head start on the day's chores. Not that I was complaining. Work stopped my mind from wandering down paths it shouldn't.

Like to a certain dark-haired girl with soulful eyes and a smile that still had the power to undo me.

Christ's sake. I'm pathetic.

I snagged my gloves from the truck bed and tugged them on, ready to lose myself in the rhythm of thinning the fruit. It was a bit early to be doing it that year, but there was this one patch of the west grove that seemed like it couldn't wait to start setting. Normally it was a task Elliot would take on. But since he was busy overseeing the new irrigation lines and Dad considered himself a full-time video euchre player, I figured I'd volunteer. God knows Chase wasn't going to.

It was mindless work. My thoughts drifted as my hands moved on autopilot.

So much for work providing a distraction. My thoughts kept circling back to Natalie. I couldn't escape the memory of her standing there in the orchard, all soft curves and tousled hair, looking at me with those big, wounded eyes.

I never meant to hurt you.

I gritted my teeth, plucking apple after apple as I tried to drown out her voice.

She never meant to hurt me. Well, wasn't that fucking nice of her.

I knew I was being unfair. We were just kids when everything fell apart between us. Reckless, impulsive, so goddamn sure we had all the answers.

I thought I knew what love was back then. That all-consuming, can't-eat-can't-sleep kind of infatuation that had you convinced the world began and ended with one person. I truly believed it could solve anything.

God, how naïve I was.

Because the truth was, love wasn't some magical force that conquered all. It didn't stop people from making shitty choices, from breaking hearts and shattering trust. Love didn't mean a damn thing if you weren't willing to fight for it, to put in the hard work day after day.

And Natalie walked away. Plain and simple.

I paused my plucking, chest heaving. My hands were streaked with dirt, gloves torn in a few places. There was the familiar throb in my lower back that came from a day of physical labor.

This was my life. Sweat and calluses, endless chores, and maintenance. No grand dreams, no lofty ambitions beyond making it to the next harvest with the trees intact.

It wasn't a bad life, all things considered. Satisfying in its own way, pouring energy into something tangible. Something that was here long before me and would remain long after I was gone.

Maybe that was why Natalie left. She couldn't be content with the simple pleasures of a place like Sable Point, with a life tied to the land and the changing seasons.

She'd always had bigger dreams.

I couldn't blame her for that, I guess. For wanting more than I was able to offer her at eighteen.

No, what I blamed her for was the way she went about it. The utter disregard for my feelings or anyone else's. She didn't just leave Sable Point behind—she burned every bridge on her way out, making damn sure there was no going back.

Until now. Until her dad's death forced her to come back and face the fallout.

Memories crowded in, and I shook my head as though trying to dislodge them. Natalie, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief as she pulled me into the tool shed, her soft lips trailing kisses along my jaw. Natalie breathless with laughter as we raced through the moonlit trees, hand in hand. Natalie in tears the night before she left, clinging to me and swearing she'd never love anyone else.

Bullshit. All of it. Pretty lies to soothe her own conscience.

"Yo, Jasper! You deaf or just ignoring me?"

The familiar voice jolted me from my spiraling thoughts. I turned to see Chase ambling up the path, that annoying fucking smirk plastered across his face. It was a face I liked better on Elliot, if I was honest.

"What do you want?" I grumbled, stripping off my gloves.

He held up his hands in surrender. "Easy there, killer. Just thought I'd come see if you needed a hand with anything."

I looked at him askance. Chase had never willingly helped out around here unless Mom guilted him into it.

"I'm good," I said shortly. "But if you're looking to make yourself useful, I think Elliot could use some help with the irrigation lines over in the east grove."

Chase pulled a face. "Ugh, no thanks. I was just trying to be a good brother, but if you're gonna be a dick about it..."

I rolled my eyes. For twins, he and Elliot couldn't be more different. While Elliot was born ready to take the reins of this place, Chase had always been more interested in chasing the next thrill, the next adventure, the next drink.

There'd been a time when I'd envied his ability to just... walk away. To leave all the responsibilities and expectations behind in search of something more.

Of course, that was before Natalie showed me what an ugly, selfish thing walking away could be.

"Seriously, though," Chase said, his tone sobering. "You okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

He shrugged, scuffing the toe of his boot in the dirt. "I don't know, man. Natalie being back and everything that went down with her dad. I know that's gotta be a lot."

My jaw ticked at the mention of her name. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine."

Chase eyed me skeptically. "If you say so. Just don't do that thing you do, okay?"

"What thing?"

"The one where you bottle everything up until you explode."

I bristled, irritation flaring. "I don't explode."

"Uh, yeah, you kinda do. Maybe not in the screaming, throwing shit kind of way. But you get all twisted up inside until one day, bam"—he snapped his fingers—"you're a walking thundercloud, pissing off everyone in a ten-mile radius."

Shaking my head, I turned away from him and started gathering my tools. "Don't you have better things to do than psychoanalyze me?"

"Nope," he said cheerfully. "Seeing as I'm currently funemployed, you're pretty much my main source of entertainment."

I shot him a withering look over my shoulder. "Get a job, big brother."

"Working on it! Kind of." He flashed me a grin before his expression turned serious again. "But for real, Jas, you know you can talk to me if you need to, right? I mean, I know I'm kind of a fuckup, but I'm still here for you."

The unexpected sincerity in his voice gave me pause. For all his bravado and reckless antics, Chase had a good heart.

"I know," I said gruffly. "And I'm good, Chase. Really. Natalie being back, it doesn't change anything."

Aside from turning my whole world upside down.

But I wasn't about to admit that, not even to my brother.

Chase studied me for a second then nodded slowly. "Alright, man. I'm gonna get out of your hair, let you get back to your tree-hugging or whatever." He winked, some of the familiar teasing back in his voice. "But if you need me, you know where to find me—drinking beer in Mom's basement and feeling sorry for myself."

"You're a real inspiration, Chase."

"I do my best." He gave me a lazy salute then headed off down the path, hands shoved in his pockets.

I watched him go, that nagging sense of unease still prickling at the back of my neck. No point in dwelling on the past or psyching myself out over hypotheticals. I had work to do. I couldn't neglect my responsibilities just because my ex-girlfriend had rolled back into town looking more gorgeous than ever.

I tossed my gear in the truck bed with a little more force than necessary then paused to wipe the sweat from my brow. It was hot as shit, sticky heat that had me longing for a dip in the lake. I considered stripping off my shirt then decided against it. The last thing I needed was Natalie taking another impromptu walk through the orchard, catching a glimpse of me and getting... ideas.

Christ, I was an arrogant prick sometimes.

I climbed into the truck and fired up the engine. Mom would be expecting me for lunch soon, which meant I had only another hour or so to make a dent in my to-do list.

As I pulled out onto the main road that wound through the orchard, I glanced in the direction of the Choi Accounting building on Main Street. It was an old habit I'd never been able to shake no matter how hard I tried. Even after all those years, some deep-rooted part of me still scanned for any sign of Natalie, that familiar dark hair and bright smile.

But the sidewalks were empty, the building silent and still in the midday heat. Just another ordinary day in Sable Point. No trace of the girl who once lit up my world and then plunged it into darkness just as quickly.

I tore my gaze away, grinding my teeth against the bitter flare of resentment. I didn't have time for that bullshit. Natalie had made her choices, and I'd made mine. We were different people then. If she wanted to stick around and play at being a small-town girl, that was her business. But I wasn't about to get roped into whatever fresh drama she'd cooked up this time. Been there, got the scars to prove it.

No, I was going to stay focused on what mattered—my family, this orchard, preserving the legacy that had been carefully nurtured by Dad, Papa, and every Everton before them. It was what I was born for, what I'd been raised to do.

And if that meant avoiding Natalie Choi like the plague, so be it. I couldn't miss her any more than I had for the last seven years, right?

I shifted into gear and pulled out onto the main road, leaving the ghosts of my past behind in a cloud of dust and exhaust. Sable Point might have been a small town, but there was more than enough space for me to give Natalie a wide berth until she left.

At least, that was what I kept telling myself. But a nagging inner voice told me that the simple fact that she was in Sable Point would be more than enough to get under my skin.

Chapter Nine

NATALIE

A rainbow of ripe fruits and vegetables gleamed around us as Mom and I stepped into Harbor Pantry. Like everywhere else in this town, the kitschy little grocery store had been frozen in time since I left. I was struck anew by the homey touches—hand-written price tags, local artwork on the walls, even a small bookshelf near the checkout filled with well-loved paperbacks for customers to borrow or swap. It was so different from the sterile atmosphere of Chicago's big-box supermarkets.

"Natalie! Marie!" Mrs. Henderson, the owner's mother, called out from behind the deli counter. "How are you holding up, dears?"

Mom managed a wan smile. "One day at a time, Dot. Thank you."

I watched as Mrs. Henderson bustled around, insisting on packaging up some of Dad's favorite potato salad. Her kindness was so touching that my throat tightened and my eyes swam with tears.

When had I become the kind of person who breaks down at the grocery store?

Mom and I wove up and down the aisles, chatting, discussing meal options. It was like I was a kid again and we were shopping for family dinner. The squeaky wheel of our cart should have annoyed me. Instead, it was a comforting soundtrack to a familiar errand. Sable Point had infected me with nostalgia. I found myself lingering over displays, marveling at the variety of local products. Homemade jams, artisanal cheeses, even small-batch kombucha—all proudly bearing "Made in Sable Point" labels.

"Remember when you and Jasper used to sneak candy from this very aisle?" Mom asked, a hint of mischief in her voice.

"Mom! We were ten, and we always paid for it... eventually."

"You didn't pay for squat. Your father had to come by the store and take care of it—with interest." She laughed, and the sound warmed my heart. Sure, times had been tough lately, but Mom had a love for life that I envied most days.

As we rounded the corner to the baking aisle, I spotted Jasper's grandmother. She was frowning at a shelf of flour, muttering to herself.

"Hey, Nana. Everything alright?"

She turned, her face lighting up. "Natalie! Oh, thank goodness. They've rearranged everything, and I can't find the self-rising flour. These old eyes ain't what they used to be."

I spotted the elusive item on a high shelf and reached up to grab it for her. When my fingers closed over the packet, I was instantly struck by a vivid memory of baking cookies in her kitchen, Jasper and I covered in flour and giggling like lunatics.

The buzz of my phone in my pocket instantly knocked the smile off my face. Mom and I said a quick goodbye to Nana before I pulled my phone from my back pocket. Liam's name flashed on the screen, accompanied by a message.

LIAM

When do you think you'll head back to the city?

My thumb hovered over the keyboard and guilt gnawed at me. Why couldn't I just tell him the truth?

"Natalie?" Mom's voice cut through my thoughts. "You okay, honey? You look like you're ready to hurl."

I forced a smile, shoving the phone back into my pocket. "Yeah, I'm fine."

She eyed me shrewdly. "Was that Liam who texted? You've been awfully quiet about him the last few days."

The cart's wheel caught on a raised tile. I used the momentary distraction to gather my thoughts. "It's nothing, Mom. It's just... complicated."

"Complicated?" She raised an eyebrow, reaching past me to grab a can of green beans. "That doesn't sound good. Are you two having problems?"

I sighed. "No, not exactly. It's just..."

"Just what?"

I leaned against the cart, the metal cool against my palms. "I don't know. Being back here, it's making me question things. My life in the city, my relationship with Liam... everything."

Mom nodded thoughtfully. "Coming home can do that. It's like holding up a mirror to your life, isn't it?"

"Yeah," I whispered. "I thought I knew what I wanted, but now I'm not so sure."

"And Liam? Where does he fit into all this?"

I closed my eyes, remembering his confused, hurt expression every time I brushed him off at the wake. "He's a good guy, Mom. He really is. But being with him, it's like I'm playing a part. The successful city girl with the perfect boyfriend. And I'm not sure that's who I want to be."

Mom placed a warm, soothing hand on my arm. "It's okay to be unsure. Life isn't always a straight path."

I nodded, blinking back tears. The store's tinny muzak filled the silence with a cheesy rendition of an 80s pop song that seemed wildly out of place in that moment.

"You know," Mom said, "your father and I went through a rough patch when we first got married. I thought we'd made a horrible mistake, that I'd trapped him in a life he didn't want."

I looked up, surprised. "Really? But you and Dad always seemed so perfect together."

She laughed. "Oh, we were far from perfect. Our problems were a little different from yours. I was certain your father wouldn't want to settle in Sable Point—he'd worked so hard to make it to this country. He always said he wanted a better future for himself than his parents had. I couldn't fathom how he'd want to tie himself to me and this sleepy little town. But we worked at it. We talked, we compromised, and most importantly, we were honest with each other about what we wanted."

Honest. When was the last time I was truly honest with Liam? With myself?

"I'm not saying you should stay with Liam if he's not right for you," Mom continued. "But don't throw away something good just because you're scared of what might happen if you open up."

"Thanks, Mom. I-I'll think about it."

She smiled and patted my arm before turning back to the shelves. "That's all I ask because, after all..."

"You know things. Yeah, yeah."

"Exactly. Now, grab some chocolate chips. I'm feeling the need to bake."

I smiled despite myself, and the heaviness in my stomach started to dissipate. Then my phone buzzed again. Another text from Liam.

LIAM

No rush, obvi. But I miss you.

Why am I like this?

The guilt from my indecision was a physical force pressing down on me. But I wasn't sure I was ready to face the music. Especially when I couldn't answer a simple question.

What do I really want?

Chapter Ten

JASPER

It had been the longest week of my life. By Friday afternoon, I was drenched in sweat and caked in grime. I was helping Elliot with the fence repairs on the property line between Ever Eden and Vintage Point. I'd tried to rope Chase in too, but that fucker was simply lounging in the grass, head propped up on a fist as he scrolled through Instagram or Reddit or whatever stupid site he was currently wasting his time on.

I wanted to kick him.

But as annoyed as I was with Chase, I was more annoyed with myself.

I was letting Natalie get to me, and I shouldn't have been. I had more important things to focus on. But all I could seem to do lately was replay the two interactions we'd had since she'd been back.

I hadn't handled either well. I knew that. Part of me hated that I could still hurt her. The other part—the petty, vindictive part—thought, good. Now she knows how it feels.

I tried my damndest to dislodge the memories as I unloaded the lumber from Elliot's truck. Couldn't go down that road. What was done was done. Natalie being here now didn't change anything. We weren't those starry-eyed teenagers anymore. Too much time had passed, too much was left unsaid.

"You good, Jas?"

I glanced up to see Chase watching me. Again. Perceptive asshole.

"Yeah, I'm good." I straightened, dusting off my hands. "Just got some shit on my mind."

"Nat?"

My jaw tightened. "Don't go there."

He held up his hands. "I'm not trying to start shit. But c'mon, man. You've got a 'tude."

"You would, too, if your ex just strolled back into town. Not that you'd know. No one can put up with your bullshit long enough for you to have a current girlfriend, let alone an ex."

"Woah, now wait a minute. If I wanted a girlfriend, I could have one. But I don't. I'm more than happy wetting my willy when the mood strikes and then, ya know, never talking to them again."

Elliot gave Chase a withering look. "You're a moron." He leaned against a portion of the completed fence and turned his attention to me. "Maybe this is a chance, ya know? To clear the air, get some closure."

I thrust my hands into my pockets and kicked at a clod of upturned earth. "What's there to clear? She left. End of story."

"Is it? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like there's a whole lot of unfinished business between you two."

As much as I wanted to, I couldn't argue with that. I'd tried to move on, but I was still hopelessly tangled up in Natalie. In the what-ifs and could-have-beens.

" I don't know if I can go there, man." I blew out a breath, suddenly exhausted. "It's been seven years. We're different people now."

"Uh-huh, sure," Chase chimed in.

"Leave it alone, Chase," Elliot warned. "Jasper's got enough on his plate without you stirring up trouble."

"Woah, easy there, El. I'm just curious, is all. Natalie Choi showing up after all these years—that's gotta be stirring up some old feelings, am I right?"

I glared at him, my jaw clenching. A familiar series of jingles and popping sounds exploded from his phone, and he punched the air. Apparently he could annoy me and play Candy Crush at the same time. "I told you," I said, "I'm over it. Over her."

Chase opened his mouth, no doubt ready with some smartass retort, but Elliot cut him off with a sharp look. "Chase, why don't you make yourself useful and go check on the new saplings in the west orchard? I'm sure they could use some attention."

"What? Why do I have to go check on some dumb saplings while you two gossip like old hens?" Chase grumbled. But he pushed himself up off the ground anyway. "Fine, I can take a hint. But don't think this conversation is over, Jas." He pointed a finger at me, his blue eyes glinting with mischief. "I want all the juicy details later."

"There are—and will be—no juicy details, asshole. Now get out of here before I send you to the barn to work on some spreadsheets."

"Ew, gross. Fine, I'm going."

Chase sauntered off with an exaggerated sigh. I watched him go, shaking my head. "You'd think he was the little brother."

Elliot laughed. "He means well. You know how he is—always poking his nose where it doesn't belong."

"Yeah, well, he better keep that nose out of my business if he knows what's good for him." I picked up the hammer and turned back to the fence. For a while, we worked in companionable silence, the sun beating down on our backs as we finished the last of the repairs.

"There," Elliot proclaimed when we finally finished. "Now Tessa Belmonte can shut the fuck up about the goddamn fence."

I snickered and Elliot shot me a dry look. Those two had been going head-to-head since they could walk.

I straightened up, wiping my brow with the back of my arm. "Yeah, well, you know Tessa. She won't be happy until she's found something else to complain about."

"Ain't that the truth." He gave the new fence post a solid thump. "Woman's never satisfied."

"Maybe if you stopped riling her up on purpose..."

"Now where's the fun in that?"

I rolled my eyes. "Come on, let's get this shit cleaned up." I bent down to gather the scattered tools. "I'm ready for a cold one."

Elliot clapped me on the shoulder. "Now you're talking, little brother."

I slid up to the bar an hour later, the stink of stale beer and decades of smoke clinging to the air. The dim light cast a vaguely seedy glow, neon beer signs buzzing faintly in the shadows. Not a cozy place by any stretch, but familiar in that grungy, unapologetic way only a hole-in-the-wall like Callaghan's could pull off. This joint had been slinging cheap drinks and turning a blind eye to Sable Point's shittier decisions for longer than I'd been alive. It was a part of this town's character, for better or worse.

"Who's the new guy?" I asked Elliot, nodding toward the hulking figure manning the bar. He looked like he could crush a man's skull between his thumb and forefinger without breaking a sweat.

Elliot winced. " Billy's dementia got real bad, so they had to put him in that care home over in Ashford. I'm guessing that's his grandson."

Shit. I hadn't heard about that.

"How the hell did I miss all that going down?" I felt a flicker of guilt. Billy had been running this dive since anyone could remember. He was as much a fixture as the cracked vinyl barstools and the permanent stains on the floor.

Elliot shrugged and snagged a handful of peanuts from a nearby bowl. "You've had other stuff on your mind lately."

I scowled, but he wasn't wrong.

The door swung open with a groan, a slice of fading sunlight spilling in from the street. Chase strode through, squinting against the glare as he made a beeline for the bar.

"Thanks for the invite, dickwads," he greeted us, sliding onto the stool beside me with a wolfish grin.

I shot him an exasperated look, but it was mostly for show. There was something comforting about the three of us hanging in this shithole. It took me back to when we were just a bunch of reckless kids chasing a buzz. Simpler times.

"You know that guy?" I asked, tilting my chin toward the new bartender.

Chase barked out a laugh. "Know him? Dude, this is the only bar in town. Of course I know him."

The guy caught Chase's eye from behind the bar and they traded a subtle nod, the sort of gruff acknowledgment only two rough-and-tumble small-town guys could really pull off.

"So, what'll it be, boys?" Chase leaned an elbow on the pitted bar top and pulled out his wallet. "First round's on me."

Chapter Eleven

NATALIE

"Goodnight, Jeanette. Thanks for all your help today."

I offered her a tired smile as she gathered her things to leave for the evening. The past four days had been brutal—a relentless barrage of paperwork and client conferences. They'd all asked the same question: "Are you taking things over?" I danced around the issue, offering some mildly reassuring response without making any commitments.

I'd been there for a week now, and while my bereavement leave had run out, it had been years since I took any time off. I had banked a lot of vacation time. Thirty-two days, to be exact. My boss wasn't thrilled, but he'd have to deal until I could get back to the city.

Jeanette patted my arm, her eyes filled with sympathetic warmth. "You're doing great, sweetheart. Your dad would be so proud to see you taking the reins like this."

"I hope so," I said, my voice thick. "I want to do right by him, you know? By his legacy and all the clients who depended on him. Even if it is only temporary."

"And you will, honey." Jeanette squeezed my hand. "You've got his head for numbers and his heart for people. That's a rare combination."

I nodded, but I wasn't sure I believed her. "Thanks, Jeanette. I'll see you Monday."

With a final pat on my arm, she slipped out, leaving me alone in the quiet stillness of the empty office. I sank down into Dad's chair, letting my eyes drift around the space that had been his domain for so many years. I could still feel him everywhere. Even the faint aroma of his favorite peppermint tea lingered on like a ghost.

My gaze landed on the small jade elephant figurine he kept on his desk—a souvenir from our trip to Seoul when I was ten. I'd loved the vibrant markets and bustling city streets, so different from the sleepy charm of Sable Point.

"This little guy is going to bring us good luck," he'd declared, grinning as he handed me the carved trinket. "That's what the vendor said, anyway."

I smiled faintly, reaching out to trace the cool, smooth lines of the elephant's trunk. Dad had always been a sucker for silly superstitions and folklore, no matter how much Mom teased him about it.

He taught me so much about his culture, including the language he knew from birth. I rarely spoke Korean these days, yet I had a habit of switching to it when I felt emotional. Probably from all the years trying to cry my way out of getting grounded for sneaking through Jasper's window to sleep in his bed. I'd be speaking even less Korean now that Dad was gone.

God, I missed him. The ache was a physical thing, a hole inside me that never seemed to go away. Losing him had left me raw and exposed. I hadn't felt like this since...

Well, since the last time my world imploded, all those years ago.

I pushed aside the thought, forcing myself to focus on the stacks of paperwork and client files strewn across Dad's desk.

Five days in, and I already felt like I was drowning.

Sure, I had the technical skills and know-how after years in corporate accounting. But this was different. Personal and intimate in a way that spreadsheets and bottom lines could never capture.

Dad didn't just crunch numbers for these people. He was their confidant, their advisor, their friend. His extensive knowledge of their businesses and lives couldn't be quantified or easily transferred.

And me? I was just treading water, trying not to let anyone see how lost and unmoored I really felt.

I raked my fingers through my hair. This was all the proof I needed. Dad's legacy would be safer in someone else's hands. The thought filled me with a sick sense of failure, like I was letting him down.

My phone vibrated on the desk, pulling me from the spiral of self-doubt. It was a text from Mom.

MOM

You still at the office?

NATALIE

Yes, but just packing up. Have you eaten today?

MOM

I had a little something earlier.

That meant no. I knew she wasn't sleeping, not eating much. But I wasn't sure how to help her. The best I could do was take care of the business and give her one less thing to worry about. Give her time to process her grief.

NATALIE

I'm going to stop by Rosie's and pick something up for dinner. Any requests?

MOM

Whatever you get will be fine. Thanks sweetheart.

NATALIE

Kk. See you soon.

Pocketing my phone, I rose from the desk with a weary sigh. A break from this office was exactly what I needed. Some fresh air and a chance to clear my head before diving back in on Monday morning.

I slipped out of the building and into the balmy summer evening. The warm breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers and freshly mown grass. Despite my lingering sadness, I drank in the beauty of the place—the way the golden sunlight filtered through the trees lining Main Street, casting everything in a warm, nostalgic glow.

Evenings like this made me wonder how I ever convinced myself that the corporate grind was what I wanted.

As I wandered the few blocks toward Rosie's, I found myself smiling at the familiar sights—the cheerful window boxes overflowing with petunias, the hand-painted signs advertising fresh produce and homemade pies, the clusters of people lingering on the sidewalks to chat and catch up.

It was so different from Chicago, where everyone was always rushing from one place to the next, heads down and shoulders hunched. Here there was a sense of community, of connection. Of people taking the time to actually be present instead of just passing through.

I'd missed this more than I'd realized. The easy comforting rhythms of the place that had been a cornerstone of my life since the day I was born.

A few doors down from Rosie's, the neon sign for Callaghan's Bar flickered to life in the deepening twilight. Even from the sidewalk, I could make out the telltale thrum of hoots and hollers and the clinking of glasses—the unmistakable soundtrack of a rowdy night at the local watering hole.

My lips quirked as a memory surfaced. Jasper and I, seventeen and trying to sneak inside for our first taste of the forbidden. We'd barely made it through the door before Billy, the cantankerous old bartender, was shooing us out with a broom and a string of colorful curses.

I shook my head, equal parts amused and wistful. So much had changed since those carefree days.

The thought filled me with a strange sense of melancholy and longing. Was it just nostalgia for the simplicity of youth? The girl I was before life got so damn complicated? Or something else.

You mean someone else

I was jolted from my thoughts by a burst of raucous laughter spilling out onto the sidewalk as the bar door swung open. Three familiar figures tumbled out, jostling and shoving like a pack of unruly kids.

My breath caught as I recognized them—the Everton brothers in all their roughhoused glory. Chase and Elliot, the twins who always seemed to be operating at opposite extremes, and Jasper bracketed in the middle like he was a mediator trying to keep the peace.

They hadn't noticed me yet, too caught up in their usual antics. Chase was laughing. Elliot was scowling, all stern disapproval as he tried to shush his brother. And Jasper...

Jasper was watching them both with a look of long-suffering exasperation, like he was the only adult in a room full of unruly children. My stomach twisted at the familiar expression, at the way his brow furrowed and the corner of his mouth ticked up in that crooked half-smile.

He'd always been the quiet one, the steadying force amidst the Everton family chaos. I used to tease him about being an old soul.

I was poised to call out to them, to announce my presence and... what? Catch up like old friends? Not an option anymore.

I was paralyzed, rooted to the spot as I drank in the sight of them—so familiar yet so different. Chase's shoulders seemed broader, his grin a little rougher around the edges. Elliot had thickened out, his tall frame stockier and more solidly built.

And Jasper... God, Jasper. Every time I saw him, I was struck by the fact he looked exactly the same yet utterly different. The lanky boy had matured into a man, his shoulders broader and arms thicker.

He turned suddenly, as if he could feel me staring. I remembered the tingling sensation when I felt his eyes on me at Dad's funeral. Was that what he just felt when I was looking at him? Our eyes locked, and time came to a stop. His expression shuttered, lips parting on an indrawn breath as he registered my presence. I felt it like a physical jolt, that magnetic pull, still zinging between us despite everything.

We stared at each other. For a few heated moments, it was just the two of us, alone in our private bubble where words had never been necessary.

Then Chase caught sight of me and let out a loud whoop, shattering the spell. "Natty Light!"

He threw an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a clumsy, beer-scented hug. I laughed. Despite the tension with Jasper, Chase's boisterous affection put me at ease.

"It's good to see you too, Chase," I said, my voice muffled against the soft cotton of his t-shirt. "Even if you reek like a frat house after a kegger."

He barked out a laugh. "You love it. Don't even try to deny it."

I was still smiling as I turned to greet Elliot with a warm hug. He was more reserved than his twin, but there was a gentleness in his blue eyes that I'd always found soothing.

"It's good to have you home, Natalie," he murmured, giving my shoulder an affectionate squeeze before stepping back.

Home. The word rattled around my skull, kicking up a mess of conflicting emotions. This place, these people, they were my roots.

But my home was in Chicago. Right?

Now that I was back, and I'd had a glimpse of what I was missing, I wasn't so sure I ever really wanted to get away. Not completely. This town, this community, it was part of my DNA, woven into the fabric of who I was. I could try to run from it, but I had a feeling I'd always find a way back eventually.

I chanced a peek at Jasper over Chase's shoulder, but his expression was unreadable. He held my gaze for a beat then looked away, shoulders tightening like he was bracing for impact.

The awkward silence stretched between us, thick and charged. I fumbled for something to say, anything that would break the tension.

In the end, Chase beat me to it, slinging an arm around my shoulders once more. "You know, Nat, I was just telling these two bozos how much I've missed having you around to keep me entertained. This town is boring as hell without my partner in crime."

"When was I ever your partner in crime?"

Chase gasped. "You wound me! How about that time we went skinny dipping in the Thompson's pool?"

"That wasn't me. That was Sammy."

"Oh. Right. That makes sense. Well, what about when we stole that bottle of scotch from Papa's cupboards?"

"Now that was me. Can't make any promises for a repeat performance, but I'll see what I can do."

"Atta girl." He grinned, giving me an affectionate jostle. "We'll get into all kinds of trouble, just like old times."

I rolled my eyes and playfully shoved him away. "You're incorrigible, Chase Everton."

"You know it, babe."

It was amazing how easily we'd slipped back into our old banter. But I couldn't ignore the faint undercurrent of awkwardness. Jasper withdrew further and further with every passing second. His shoulders were hunched, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jeans as he regarded us with a cold, distant expression.

I wanted to reach out to him, to bridge the distance that had opened up between us. But I couldn't find the words or the courage.

Ever the voice of reason, Elliot eventually cleared his throat. "We should probably get going, let Natalie get on with her evening."

I was equal parts relieved and disappointed. Half of me was desperate to flee the uncomfortable atmosphere. The other half ached to cling to the moment, to soak up every second in Jasper's presence like a desert wanderer dying of thirst. But those thoughts didn't lead anywhere good.

"Yeah, I should probably get moving," I said, trying and failing for a casual tone. "I was just on my way to pick up dinner for Mom and me."

Chase's brows shot up. "From Rosie's?"

I nodded, and he grinned. "In that case, I'm coming with you. I've been craving one of their famous cheeseburgers."

"You're not crashing my dinner with Mom," I said. But it was a half-hearted protest. If Mom were here, she'd say, "the more the merrier."

"Aw, c'mon, Nat!" Chase gave me his best puppy dog eyes. "Don't be like that. I'll even buy!"

"With what money? Do you even have a job, slacker?"

Elliot snorted out a laugh. "Oh, damn. Shots fired."

Chase looked genuinely chastised, so I gave him a break.

"I'm just kidding, Chaser. Let's go."

He let out a whoop of triumph, throwing an arm around my shoulders again and steering me down the sidewalk.

"You coming, Jas?" Chase called over his shoulder. "Don't tell me you're gonna pass up a chance to hang with your favorite girl!"

My eyes bugged out of my head, and I braced for Jasper's reaction—the anger, the hurt, the inevitable shutting down that had become our new normal.

But it didn't come.

And that's how I ended up having dinner with all three Everton boys and my mom.

Chapter Twelve

JASPER

"Thanks for joining us, boys. It's nice having the company. You know what I always say⁠—"

"The more the merrier," we all chorused.

Marie laughed and pulled me into a loving sideways hug.

I told myself I had to come. I wasn't very well going to let Chase have dinner with Natalie and her mother alone.

I gave Marie a little squeeze. She was like a second mother to me, just as Ed was like a second father.

And I missed him. So fucking much.

I could only imagine how the Choi women were doing.

Maybe it was the residual buzz from the beers, but suddenly I wanted nothing more than to pull Natalie into that hug and just hold them both for a few minutes. Or hours—maybe even days—if it was just Nat.

Chase gave me an appraising look then turned and addressed Elliot in an overly cheerful voice. "Hey, El, didn't you say you needed to swing by the hardware store before it closes to pick up that, uh, that thing for your project?"

Elliot looked confused for a split second before nodding vigorously. "Oh, yeah, that's right! The, um, the doohickey for my woodworking thingy. Slipped my mind completely." He glanced down at his non-existent watch. "We better jet if we wanna make it in time."

Marie smiled warmly at them. "Of course, boys. You two run along now. But take some burgers for later."

"Thanks, Marie. You're the best!" Chase grabbed the proffered bag and flashed her a disarming grin before grabbing Elliot by the elbow and practically dragging him out the door.

The door shut behind them with a soft click, leaving me standing awkwardly in the Choi's cozy living room with Marie and Natalie. I shifted my weight from foot to foot, suddenly hyper-aware of every move I made.

Fucking Chase. I should've known he was up to something when he offered to buy dinner. Damn him and his scheming.

Marie, bless her heart, either didn't notice the tension in the room or chose to ignore it. She patted my arm fondly. "I'm so glad you could join us, Jasper, honey. It's been too long since we had a nice family dinner like this."

Family. The word sent a pang through my chest. Because that was exactly what the Chois had been to me for as long as I could remember—my second family.

Marie bustled off to the kitchen, leaving Natalie and me alone in the living room. I stole a glance at her, drinking in the delicate features I knew so well yet hadn't truly seen in years.

"So," Natalie began, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear, "this is... weird, right?"

I let out a soft huff of laughter. This whole situation was surreal. It was oddly comforting to hear it acknowledged out loud. "You could say that."

She worried her bottom lip between her teeth, and I could practically see the thoughts swirling behind those chocolatey eyes. After a long pause, she blurted, "I'm sorry I never called, Jasper. Or wrote, or... anything."

I considered brushing her apology off, but something stopped me—maybe it was the sadness lacing her voice or the weariness etched into the lines around her eyes. She looked so fucking tired. In the end, I simply nodded.

"I know," I murmured. "Doesn't make it suck any less, but... I know."

Her lips quirked in a rueful smile.

"You gotta stop apologizing to me, though, if we're ever going to be normal," I said. "You're making me uncomfortable, Natalie."

Her smile broadened when she registered my teasing tone.

"Oh, geez. So sorry, Jas. Wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable."

Before I knew it, my face was twisting itself into the mock glare that always made her giggle. This easy back-and-forth felt irresistibly natural, like slipping into a favorite old hoodie. For a moment, it was almost as if no time had passed at all.

"Come on," Natalie said, nodding toward the kitchen. "We better go claim our burgers before mom decides we're taking too long and eats them all herself."

"Ah yes, I seem to recall your mom's notorious burger-snatching habits. Remember that summer barbecue when we were like, twelve? I swear she inhaled three cheeseburgers in the time it took me to put ketchup on my bun."

Natalie threw her head back and laughed. The sound triggered a warm flutter in my stomach.

"Oh god, I'd forgotten about that! Though in her defense, Dad had just perfected his 'secret spice blend' for the patties. I think everyone inhaled those burgers."

"True," I conceded with a chuckle. "Your dad's burgers were the stuff of legends."

The mention of Ed turned the mood somber, and I mentally kicked myself. But Natalie surprised me. Her smile softened rather than disappearing entirely.

"They were legendary, weren't they? God, I miss him."

"Me too." I reached over and took her hand. It was as much comforting affection as I could manage at that point, but her sharp inhale told me it had more of an effect than I expected.

I shouldn't have been touching her.

She had a boyfriend.

But that touch was innocent.

As long as I let go quickly.

Too late.

I dropped her hand like it burned me, and she visibly stiffened, eyes darting to my face. Looking for what, I didn't know.

I cleared my throat and took a seat at the kitchen table.

Marie set the burgers down, and the smell of melted cheese and grilled beef made my mouth water. But my appetite was overshadowed by the discomfort radiating from Natalie.

She was avoiding my eyes, fidgeting with her napkin. I could practically see the wheels turning in her head as she struggled to find her footing in our strange new dynamic.

Awkward quiet settled over us as we tucked into our food. Marie filled the void with idle chit chat about the weather and the latest town gossip.

Natalie picked at her fries, stealing glances at me when she thought I wasn't looking. I pretended not to notice, focusing intently on my burger, even though it was getting harder and harder to swallow.

This was a mistake. Having dinner together like one big happy family—it was too much, too soon. The past was still a festering wound that opened every time Natalie and I shared the same air.

I should've made my excuses and left when Chase and Elliot did. But some perverse part of me wanted to see how this would play out, to test the waters of whatever this was between us now.

It turned out the waters were ice cold and treacherous as hell.

Natalie cleared her throat, and my head snapped up instinctively. "So, um...how are things at the orchard?"

It was an innocuous question. The kind of small talk you made with a casual acquaintance.

It cut straight through me, laying bare how far we'd drifted apart. She was so far removed from my life now. How could she understand the blood and sweat I'd poured into helping keep our family legacy alive? It was a constant struggle, and she made damn clear seven years ago that she had no interest in sharing it.

"It's good," I said shortly, tamping down the flare of bitterness. "Busy, as always. But we're managing."

She nodded, worrying her bottom lip again. I wanted to snatch it between my thumb and forefinger. Kiss away the pain.

Like I used to.

But I couldn't.

It wasn't my place anymore.

I can't do this.

I tossed my napkin on my plate. "Thanks for dinner, Marie. I should probably head out."

Marie's brow creased. "So soon? I was hoping we could all catch up a bit more."

"Yeah, I've got an early start tomorrow," I lied, already pushing back from the table. "Lots to do before harvest season."

Natalie's eyes found mine, and I could read the emotions swimming beneath their surface. The silent plea for me to stay, to not run away.

But I couldn't. Not tonight.

"I'll walk you out," she said, rising from her chair.

I was about to argue, but her expression stopped me. That stubborn set to her jaw that meant she wasn't taking no for an answer.

As soon as we were outside, she rounded on me, arms folded across her chest.

"So that's it? You're just going to take off?"

I raked a hand through my hair, frustration surging up. "What do you want from me, Nat? You want me to stick around and make nice over pie and coffee like everything's normal between us?"

"No, I..." She faltered, suddenly looking smaller than I'd ever seen her. "I don't know what I want. I missed you, Jas. Being around you again, it's..."

"It's what?" I demanded, taking a step closer. "Awkward? Painful? Because you're the one who left, remember?"

She flinched like I'd slapped her. "I know," she whispered. "Believe me, I know."

The naked vulnerability in her voice punched straight through me, shattering the last of my resolve. I reached for her, pulling her against my chest.

She melted into me with a soft sigh, her body molding to mine like it was made to fit there. For a few heartbeats, we simply clung to each other.

"I missed you, too, Nat," I admitted, finding my voice at last.

Her grip on me tightened, and her body started to tremble, shoulders shaking with muffled sobs. The sweet, familiar scent of her shampoo surrounded me as I tucked her head beneath my chin, letting my fingers trail up and down her back in soothing strokes. She clutched at me like I was her only lifeline, each ragged inhale reverberating through us both.

Grief rolled off her in raw, jagged waves, crashing against us with the force of a hurricane. I recognized the pain in her desolate, wounded cries—the soul-deep emptiness that came with losing someone she loved more than life itself.

My throat constricted as memories of Ed's booming laugh and twinkling eyes flooded my mind, each one a shard of glass grinding deeper.

Natalie buried her face in my chest, her tears soaking through my shirt. I tightened my arms in a futile attempt to hold her closer as a fierce surge of protectiveness welled up within me. She had always been able to strip away my defenses and touch the tender parts of me I kept walled off from the rest of the world.

I'd missed this. The intimacy of simply holding her, of breaking down the walls and bullshit we'd built up between us these past seven years.

Memories bombarded me in rapid flashes—huddling under the old oak tree as rain pounded the orchard, trading secrets and dreams in hushed whispers. Her delighted laughter mingling with the thrum of the music at our first high school dance. The soft, wondering look in her eyes the night we finally gave our virginity to each other.

I squeezed my eyes shut against the torrent, but it did nothing to stop the flood of memories. I was drowning in a past I could never get back. The ghost of the girl she was felt somehow more vivid than the flesh-and-blood woman trembling against me now.

Too much had happened. We could never rebuild what we had. Nana always said you couldn't polish a rotten apple, and things between Natalie and me had gone sour a long time ago.

Still, I couldn't seem to let go. Not yet. Not when it felt like coming home after a lifetime of aimless, lonely wandering.

So I stood there, rooted to the spot, holding her together as she crumbled in my arms. I murmured nonsense comforts, meaningless platitudes about everything being okay when we both knew damn well it wasn't. All I could do was be there, be present so she didn't have to break down alone.

Eventually, the sobs tapered off into shuddering breaths, and she pulled back, swiping at the wetness on her cheeks with the sleeve of her sweater. Her lashes were clumped with tears, eyes swollen and rimmed with smudged mascara.

And she was still the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

"Sorry," she rasped, offering me a watery smile. "Guess I needed that more than I realized."

"Don't apologize." My voice was low and rough as my thumb grazed her flushed cheekbone. "Not to me, Nat. Not for this."

She sucked in a sharp breath as her eyes searched mine, dark and liquid, brimming with a thousand unspoken questions.

I should have let go. Put some distance between us. But I couldn't make myself do it. Not when she was looking at me like that.

"Jas," she breathed. It was a plea and a warning all at once.

The sound of my name on her lips, spoken in that longing tone, had me instantly pulsing with need. For a heartbeat, I allowed myself to get lost in her eyes, those endless pools of warmth that had haunted my dreams for years.

But then reality came crashing back. This—whatever this charged moment was between us—it was dangerous territory. A minefield littered with emotional shrapnel, and I couldn't face getting ripped apart all over again. I wasn't sure I could put myself back together this time.

I took a step back, putting a sliver of distance between us. Just enough to catch my breath, to regain some semblance of control before I did something stupid. Like pulling her back into my arms and never letting go.

"Nat," I cleared my throat, struggling to find the words. "We can't do this. Not again."

Pain flickered across her features. She opened her mouth, no doubt to protest or plead her case.

But I couldn't let her.

"I'm sorry," I said. It was a half-truth. I could never be sorry about having her in my arms, but I was sorry I had to pull away. "I should go."

Natalie folded her arms and gave a tight nod, vulnerability vanishing behind a mask of composure. With one last lingering look, I descended the steps and headed for my truck, ready to head back to a quiet, empty apartment.

Alone.

Chapter Thirteen

JASPER

It was Saturday—the only day of the week I allowed myself to sleep in, but I was wide awake. I kept replaying the night before in my head.

The feel of Natalie melting into me and letting her grief pour out.

The vulnerability she had so easily given me, even after seven long years apart.

How much I had wanted to just kiss away her hurt.

I needed to get her out of my head, but the images were still too fresh, and the morning wood wasn't helping.

My cock was aching, straining against my boxer briefs and begging for relief. Not that holding Natalie while she cried her eyes out had been a particularly erotic moment. But thinking back now, remembering the sweet smell of her hair and the feel of her body pressed against mine, was enough to have me gripping myself and tugging.

It had been too damn long since I got laid. That was the only explanation. I kicked off the covers, ripped my briefs down and let my cock spring free.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I willed myself to picture anyone but Natalie. I didn't want to want her. But there, in the privacy of my own head, I could admit it. I did want her. I never stopped.

My brain was grateful to be given permission. It was all too ready to conjure images of what it would look like to be with her again. How it might feel to wake up with her in that bed beside me.

In my fantasy, she was curled up on her side with her long dark hair tied up in a mess on top of her head. Loose strands fluttered with each of my exhales as I lay behind her, arm curled around her waist and palm splayed across her stomach. I rocked my hips, waking her up with my raging erection grinding against her perfect ass. She stirred, pushing back against me even while still half asleep.

Neither of us spoke as I glided my hand up and grabbed one of her perky tits. She moaned softly when I circled a fingertip around her hardened nipple before giving it a pinch. She was full on rubbing herself against me at this point, like she had an itch only I could scratch.

I slid my hand past her navel to the apex of her thighs. She instinctively bent her knee, planting her foot on the bed to give me better access to her pussy. I slid a finger along her slit, and she was fucking soaked for me. My cock jumped at her gasp of surprise and pleasure as I plunged a digit into her core. She was frantic now, bucking against my hand and jerking my shaft between her ass cheeks. I added a second finger, pumping in and out of her, her wetness coating my knuckles. She moaned and writhed, begging me not to stop, but I wanted her to come on my cock. I withdrew my fingers, and she whimpered at the loss, but I quickly lined the head of my dick at her entrance and pressed in. Her pussy was so warm and wet and tight that I groaned as I seated myself fully inside her.

I braced myself on my elbow and held her by the shoulder while my other hand gripped her hip.

And then I let go.

I fucked her hard.

Thrusting until she was screaming my name and milking my cock with the force of her orgasm.

The fantasy was so vivid, I completely lost myself. My hand moved faster, my strokes becoming jerky. Tension built in my balls, the pressure growing with each passing second.

And then I came with a low, guttural moan, my orgasm hitting like a freight train as I spilled myself onto my stomach. The pleasure was so intense it bordered on pain, but the release brought me no satisfaction.

The fantasy didn't even come close to the real thing.

My breathing was still ragged and my mind was still racing when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was early, sometime around six in the morning, so I expected it to be Elliot. When I grabbed it, though, it was Chase.

CHASE

Be my partner for Andy's euchre tourney later?

JASPER

What are you doing awake?

CHASE

Haven't been to sleep yet.

Was over in Ashford with Lisa. Girl sucks cock like a fuckin Hoover.

JASPER

Jesus, you're a douche.

CHASE

No need to be jealous. I'm sure she'd blow you if you asked nicely.

JASPER

Pass.

CHASE

So... euchre?

JASPER

Ask El.

CHASE

I did. He doesn't wanna play. Somethin about only going for a bit to show his face since it's Andy's birthday or some shit. He sucks.

JASPER

Fine, guess I'll play.

CHASE

Don't sound so excited.

JASPER

I won't.

CHASE

Dick.

How was dinner?

JASPER

Awkward as fuck. Thanks a lot.

CHASE

Anytime. Goin to bed. Night.

I reminded myself that I loved my brother and murder was wrong. Then I got up and showered away the evidence of jerking off to my ex-girlfriend.

Wasn't the first time. Wouldn't be the last.

I was fairly certain everyone in Sable Point between the ages of twenty-two and thirty was in Andy and Sarah Clark's backyard.

They had eight three-foot card tables spread out across the yard, each with four chairs tucked underneath. On the back deck, there was a big ass dry erase board with the tournament bracket perfectly drawn in colorful marker.

Perks of marrying a kindergarten teacher, I guess.

Andy and Sarah had a similar story to Natalie and me, except Sarah hadn't left and broken Andy's heart. Instead, they had graduated high school the same year as Elliot and Chase, moved in together, got engaged, got married, bought a house, had a baby, and lived happily ever after.

Some days, I couldn't stand them. They were so fucking happy.

But today was not one of those days. Today was Andy's thirtieth birthday, so I could choke down my envy and be happy for my friend.

"Thanks for coming, man," Andy said, pulling me into a big bro hug.

"Wouldn't miss it."

"Beer's in the cooler. Tournament starts in about twenty."

He immediately saw someone over my shoulder and took off to greet them. I made a beeline for the coolers along the side of the garage. I spotted Chase near the makeshift bar on the deck, doing a shot with a couple other guys from his graduating class.

I was hanging on the outskirts of the party, taking in the scene when a pair of slender hands snaked around my waist from behind. My mind immediately jumped to Natalie, but my heart dropped when a familiar, syrupy voice floated to my ears.

"Hey, baby," Sammy drawled.

I gripped her wrist and gently pried her hands off me. Failing to take the hint, she simply came around to my front and wrapped her arms around me again.

I fucking hated it.

"What are you doing?"

"I miss you, Jas. Thought maybe we could spend the night together."

"Not interested."

"That's not what you said a few weeks ago."

"We're not together, Sammy. We've never been together. It was one drunken night that shouldn't have happened."

Her smile faltered, hurt flashed over her face, quickly replaced by a harder edge. "Come on, Jasper. We both know there's always been something between us. Why fight it?"

I breathed in slowly and mentally counted to ten. How do I make her understand without completely losing it? "Sammy, listen to me carefully. There is nothing between us. There never has been, and there never will be. What happened that night was a mistake, and I'm sorry if I ever gave you the impression it was anything more."

Sammy's eyes narrowed and two spots of color rose on her cheeks. "You don't mean that. You're just confused because Natalie's back in town." Her voice dripped with derision. "Once she leaves again, you'll see⁠—"

"No." I cut her off, my voice firm. "I won't 'see' anything. Natalie being here has nothing to do with this. You and I are not happening, Sammy."

Speaking of Natalie... It was at that moment that she walked into the backyard.

Fuck. I didn't expect her to be here. Honestly, I didn't expect her to stay in town as long as she had.

Sammy was still prattling on, but I wasn't listening. My brain was scrambled from goggling at Natalie. She looked fuckin' beautiful in a short white dress with thin straps. The string lights hanging in Andy's backyard glinted off the long, dark strands of her hair.

As if she could feel me staring, she turned and her eyes met mine. But her gaze quickly shifted to the woman with arms wrapped around my waist, and a flash of pained anger crossed her face. She forced a smile when Elliot tapped her on the shoulder and said something I couldn't make out.

I hastily extricated myself from Sammy's grip.

"Where are you going?" she whimpered.

"Anywhere else."

I cut across the backyard, weaving my way between the still-empty euchre tables, and sidled up next to Elliot. He was mid-conversation with Andy, but he side-eyed me. I guessed he saw Sammy wrapped around me.

"... but the kid thought he could outrun a cop car, I guess. On his bike. Little idiot."

Our attention was diverted from Andy's tale when Chase let out a loud whoop from the deck. I looked up just in time to see Natalie down a shot. He threw an arm over her shoulders and steered her toward our group.

"Sorry, Jas, but I'm making a trade. Nat's gonna be my partner."

"Okay." My eyes darted between them. I was looking for any sign Natalie didn't want to play with him, but she just lifted her chin.

It felt like a dare. To do what, I wasn't sure.

I didn't have a chance to decide before the bane of my existence made an untimely return. Sammy slid her arms around my waist and forced herself under my arm.

"That's fine. I'll be Jasper's partner. We make the perfect team."

Natalie's saccharine smile looked all kinds of wrong on her perfect face. "I'm sure you do," she said. "Come on, Chaser. I need another shot."

Chapter Fourteen

NATALIE

"Alright, Natty Light, let's make some bad decisions."

I rolled my eyes as I tossed back my second shot. I was definitely done after that.

My stomach was rolling. I wasn't sure if it was from the alcohol or watching Sammy drape herself all over Jasper. Either way, I was ready to hurl.

Someone whistled loudly, and I looked up to see it was Elliot. When he passed me sitting on the front porch of Mom's house, he'd practically dragged me to Andy's birthday party. It'd be good for you, he'd said. I wasn't so sure he was right.

Once Elliot and Andy had the party's full attention, Andy began his little spiel for the tournament.

"There are sixteen teams. Sarah is drawing matchups at random now and writing them in the brackets. Check the board for your starting table. Winner takes all. Grab a drink, have fun, and no cheating!"

A chorus of hoots and hollers sounded off as everyone grabbed a drink and found their tables. Elliot and Andy were paired up against Sarah and Tessa Belmonte. I half wished I wasn't playing that round so I could sit back and watch Elliot and Tessa trade barbs. I'd missed their verbal sparring almost as much as I'd missed⁠—

"You ready, Nat?" Chase asked. "Table four. We're up against Jim and Laurie."

"Let's do it." We made our way to table four, and I gave hugs to our opponents. It was nice seeing everyone, being surrounded by friendly faces who expected nothing more from me than catching up over a few beers and a game of cards.

Games were underway at all eight tables. Chase and I were handing Jim and Laurie their asses, but we frequently paused our game to snicker at the table next to us.

Elliot took a trick and smirked up at Tessa.

"Look at you," she quipped. "Paul Bunyan, finally learning how to play cards." Her lips curled into a mischievous grin as she tapped her perfectly manicured nails against her beer bottle. "Too bad your lumberjack skills won't help you win this hand."

Elliot's jaw tightened the way it always did when Tessa got under his skin.

"At least I don't need daddy's money to fund my hobbies, princess."

Chase snorted beside me, nearly spitting out his beer. "Oh shit, here we go."

Elliot's taunts only seemed to spur Tessa on. She and Sarah took the next three tricks, winning them the hand and the final game needed to secure the victory in their best of five matchup.

They high-fived while Elliot and Andy sulked. "I'm the birthday boy. You could've let me win."

"Not a chance, big boy," Sarah said with a wink.

"Alright, let's get back to our game," Jim said, pulling our attention back to our own table.

After a few more hands, Chase and I beat out Jim and Laurie in a much more underwhelming fashion. I headed up to the deck to tell Sarah and see who our next matchup was. When I checked the board, a weight dropped into my stomach.

Jasper and Sammy.

"I'm surprised to see you here," Sammy said sweetly.

"Are you? Pretty sure we talked not twenty minutes ago."

She shot me a venomous look and took the seat across from Jasper. I sat between them then twisted to look around the backyard for Chase. He stumbled toward us from the side of the house. At the same moment, I glimpsed a strange figure disappearing in the opposite direction.

When he made it to our table, he plopped down in the chair across from me. He was grinning like a maniac, and his pupils were like saucers.

I shot Jasper a worried look, and he narrowed his eyes at his brother.

"You okay, Chaser?" I asked.

He sniffed and swiped a hand under his nose. "I'm amazing, Natty Light. Let's mop the floor with these fuckers."

"You don't look alright," Sammy said, wrinkling her pretty nose.

Chase scowled and flexed his jaw. "Fuck off, Sammy. Why are you even here?"

"I'm here with Jasper, obviously."

I felt rather than saw Jasper stiffen next to me. "How is that obvious?" he asked.

"Don't be silly, baby. Everyone knows what happened at Andy's last party," she said with a giggle. "You weren't exactly quiet."

My blood ran cold, and I cast my eyes down to the deck of cards in my hand.

"Jesus fucking Christ, Sammy, please stop talking," Jasper gritted out.

Sammy mimed zipping her lips shut.

"Someone fucking deal while we're still young." Chase shifted in his seat and drummed his fingers on the table.

I was shuffling the deck when a hand entered my field of vision. "Here, I'll deal the first hand," Jasper said.

When I looked up, his gaze was tender and apologetic. A flurry of emotions overtook me. Anger. Jealousy. Regret. Longing. It was all too much. I pushed back from the table, knocking my chair to the ground.

"Be right back," I muttered.

"Nat!" I heard Jasper call as I scurried away. Please, god, don't let him chase after me.

I made my way into Andy and Sarah's house, quickly locating the empty bathroom. I locked the door behind me, but I was startled by a knock only seconds later.

"Nat, it's me," Chase said from the other side.

I opened the door just enough to drag him in with me.

"You okay?" he leaned against the door, his blue eyes bloodshot and unfocused. A fine sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead.

"Yeah, sorry. I just needed a minute." I gripped the edge of the sink, knuckles white against the porcelain.

"Sammy's a fucking bitch."

A very ladylike snort escaped my throat. "Understatement of the century."

"Don't let her get to you. That's what she wants."

I nodded, and Chase shifted behind me, wrapping his big arms around my shoulders and resting his chin on my hair. He was clammy, and he reeked of booze, but his solid warmth against my back was soothing.

"I'm okay," I said, patting his forearm where it stretched across my chest. "Let's get back out there."

"You got it." He kissed the crown of my head and turned to open the bathroom door, gesturing for me to lead the way.

We headed out through the sliding glass door off the kitchen and onto the deck. Chase detoured toward the bar, pouring himself another shot. "One for the road," he said with a wink.

A chill ran through me as I watched him stumble around. His drinking had escalated since he visited me in college. The past few years had changed him, and not for the better. Maybe his antics just looked more out of place in a sleepy little town gathering than in the midst of a raucous frat party.

"Might wanna slow down on the shots."

"Yes, mom." He saluted me before bounding down the stairs toward our table.

I took my seat, and the tension was thick as molasses. Until Chase spoke up, of course.

"So, who's ready to lose some money?" He grinned, rubbing his hands together with exaggerated glee.

Sammy sneered. "You're the only one who's going to lose anything tonight, Chase."

Jasper and Sammy took the first trick. When Chase started dealing the next hand, his movements were clumsy. One card flew off the table entirely, and he giggled—actually giggled—as he retrieved it.

Something's really wrong with him tonight.

I glanced over at Jasper. His shoulders lifted in a helpless shrug, but the concern on his face matched my own.

Chase and I went on to lose spectacularly, which was no surprise given his state. When they won the final trick, Sammy jumped from the table and threw herself at Jasper. He rolled his eyes, and when he saw that I'd caught him, he gave me a small smile.

"Well, this was fun, but I think I'm going to head out," I said.

"What? No!" Chase cried. "Stay. Have another shot."

"I'll pass, and I think you should too. Do you want to walk home with me?"

"Nah, I'm good. See ya later, Natty Light." He kissed me on the cheek and headed back toward the liquor. I watched him go, worry whirling in my gut.

"I'll make sure he gets home," Jasper said, interrupting my thoughts. Sammy was no longer hanging on him, thank god.

"Okay. Good luck with the tournament."

Jasper nodded and gave me that same wistful smile. I hated that things were so awkward between us. But after last night on the porch and seeing him with Sammy, I didn't know where we stood.

In some moments, it felt just like old times.

In others, we were like strangers.

Chapter Fifteen

NATALIE

"This can't be right," I muttered, staring at the spreadsheet on my laptop. It was Friday morning. I had been in Sable Point for two weeks, and my brain was fried.

The numbers didn't add up. There was a discrepancy in the books—a sizable gap between the expected revenue from Ever Eden Orchard's sales and the actual amount hitting their accounts.

A knot formed in the pit of my stomach as I cross-referenced the figures against my dad's meticulous records. He had always been so careful when it came to his clients' finances. This kind of glaring error was completely unlike him.

Unless it wasn't an error at all.

My pulse quickened as an unsettling thought took root. What if the orchard's books didn't match Dad's files because someone was deliberately cooking the numbers? Skimming profits, hiding losses, fudging the data to cover their tracks.

I swallowed, my mouth bone dry. No, that couldn't be it. The Evertons were our family's oldest friends, pillars of this community. They'd never do anything so underhanded.

Would they?

A memory from Dad's wake surfaced.

You did what you had to do.

That's what Jasper had said to Elliot. Was this what he meant?

The thought was almost too disturbing to entertain. But the evidence was staring me in the face. Something wasn't adding up with their accounts, and the only logical explanation was fraud.

"Natalie? You okay, honey?"

I jumped at the sound of Jeanette's voice, slamming the laptop shut with more force than intended. She eyed me with concern as I scrambled to compose myself.

"I'm fine," I lied, offering her a tight smile. "Just going over some numbers."

Jeanette nodded, seemingly satisfied. She busied herself with the copy machine, humming softly under her breath.

I screwed up my courage and opened the laptop again. The more I studied the figures, the more glaring the discrepancies became. Tens of thousands of dollars were vanishing into thin air between the orchard's reported sales and the deposits hitting their accounts.

"Jeanette," I began, trying to keep my tone casual, "were you aware of any issues with the Ever Eden account?"

Her brow furrowed. "No, not that I recall. Your father always spoke highly of their operation. Said they ran a tight ship over there."

I nodded absently, chewing my bottom lip. That only deepened the mystery—not to mention my growing unease. Dad trusted the Evertons implicitly, both as clients and as friends. He would never have turned a blind eye to any financial improprieties on their part.

Which meant one of two things was happening: either the Evertons were deliberately defrauding their accountant, a prospect that seemed too outlandish to even consider. Or someone else was manipulating their books behind the scenes.

My mind whirled with unsettling possibilities. Embezzlement, money laundering, ties to organized crime. All the seedy facets of financial malfeasance that I had expected from the cutthroat world of corporate accounting, but not here. Not in Sable Point.

I screwed my eyes shut, pinching the bridge of my nose as a dull ache blossomed behind my eyes. Get a grip, Natalie. You're spiraling down a rabbit hole of wild speculation.

My mind flitted to Jasper, to the quiet intensity simmering behind those warm brown eyes. Did he know about this? Was he somehow involved?

The thought of him being mixed up in anything illicit made my stomach churn. Then again, I hadn't really known him for years. Maybe he wasn't who I thought he was.

I was preparing to question Jeanette further, but the ring of the office phone cut me off. She shot me an apologetic glance before hurrying back out to the front desk to answer it.

Left alone with my racing thoughts, I revisited the damning numbers. I toggled between spreadsheets, scanning rows of data until the figures started to blur together.

It was all there in black and white. Somehow, someway, the orchard was hemorrhaging money at an alarming rate. And based on the timeline, it had been going on for months, draining their coffers like a tiny leak that had finally cracked the dam.

A panicked chill crept over me as the full implications started to sink in. If the Everton's orchard was on the brink of collapse, it could devastate this entire town. Ever Eden was one of the economic pillars of Sable Point, a beloved institution that had been there for generations.

Not to mention the personal toll it would take on the family. They were decent, hard-working people who had poured their blood, sweat, and tears into that land. To see it all crumble around them, to lose their legacy and life's work...

A fresh wave of grief overwhelmed me, quickly followed by a surge of protective instinct. I might have been gone for years, but the Evertons were as much my family as my own flesh and blood. We'd been through too much together for me to turn a blind eye now.

There was no way I could just hand this over to some buyer who wouldn't give two shits about this family. No matter what truth was lurking beneath the surface, I had to get to the bottom of it. Had to find a way to help them, to save Ever Eden.

I opened a fresh document to start compiling my findings. I'd need concrete evidence, an ironclad case to present if—when—I confronted the Evertons about this mess. I might have been a "big-city hotshot" for a while, but this was personal. Which meant I couldn't afford to make even the slightest miscalculation.

I was so engrossed in my work that I didn't hear the office door open until a familiar voice broke the stillness.

"Natty Light!"

My startled heart pounded as Chase bounced into the office.

"Hey, Chaser." I tried for a casual tone, but it came out strained. "What're you doing here?"

He shrugged, all nonchalance as he leaned against the doorframe. "Just thought I'd pop in and see my favorite girl. It's been too long."

"I saw you a few days ago, dork. But your timing is impeccable as always." I gestured to the stacks of files covering every available surface. "I'm drowning in paperwork over here."

His eyes widened in horror. "Sweet Jesus, Nat, what have you gotten yourself into?"

"Oh, you know. Just trying to single-handedly rifle through thirty years of work to make it somewhat presentable to a potential buyer."

Chase's expression sobered as he crossed the room to perch on the edge of my desk. "That bad, huh?"

I sighed, pushing a hand through my hair. "Honestly? I have no idea. The books are a mess, the accounts are all over the place. I'm starting to think..."

I trailed off. I couldn't bear to voice my suspicions, not out loud. And especially not to Chase. He might have been the black sheep of the Everton clan, but he loved his family. I didn't want to worry him until I had to.

He frowned, studying me intently. "What? You're starting to think what, Nat?"

I waved a dismissive hand. "It's nothing. Just a lot to process. I'm sure it'll all make sense once I get a handle on things."

"Well, you know what they say—all work and no play makes Natty Light a very dull girl." He slid off the desk with a wink. "C'mon, let's get out of this depressing office for a bit. You need a break."

"Chase, I couldn't just⁠—"

"Yes, you could. In fact, you're going to. Doctor's orders."

"You're not a doctor."

"Semantics."

I opened my mouth to protest further, but he cut me off with a look.

"Don't make me call in reinforcements. You know I'll do it."

My mouth twitched into a reluctant smile as I pictured him dragging Jasper in here to gang up on me. As overbearing as Chase could be, he had a point. I could use a reprieve from these maddening numbers and the sinking pit of dread they were inspiring.

"Fine," I conceded, snapping my laptop closed. "You win. But just for an hour or two, okay? I can't stay out too late."

Chase's answering grin was pure trouble, and he held up two fingers. "Scout's honor, Nat. Now grab your shit and let's blow this popsicle stand."

I obediently gathered my things, an odd sense of excitement thrumming beneath my skin. It had been too long since I'd let loose, allowed myself to be reckless and irresponsible even for a night. Two shots at Andy's birthday hadn't done the trick. Sammy's sour attitude and Chase's alarming behavior had been much too effective at sobering me up.

Maybe it would do me good to embrace the chaos for once. To let go of the burdens weighing me down and just... breathe.

"So where are we going, oh wise and benevolent friend of mine?" I asked as we stepped out onto the sidewalk.

The weather in northern Michigan was beautiful this time of year. I was busy closing my eyes and tilting my head back, feeling the sun warm my face when Chase slung his arm around my shoulders, steering us down the block.

"Where else? Callaghan's is calling our names."

Callaghan's Bar, with its neon beer signs and perpetual haze of stale cigarette smoke, was not the kind of establishment I frequented these days. But then that was sort of the point, wasn't it? To step outside my comfort zone, to embrace wildness and unpredictability.

"You're a bad influence," I said, bumping his hip with mine. "But fine, lead the way to the den of iniquity."

His loud, unrestrained laughter drew curious glances from passersby. I couldn't find it in myself to care. I already felt lighter, freer, than I had in ages.

The smell of stale beer hit me as we pushed through the battered door of the bar. A comforting wave of nostalgia washed over me. This place hadn't changed a bit since our high school days.

Of course, back then, it was about the thrill of doing something we weren't supposed to. Now, as I slid onto a cracked vinyl barstool beside Chase, it was more about seeking refuge. A temporary escape from the responsibilities and expectations that had been pressing down on me since the moment I crossed the town line into Sable Point.

"What'll it be, Choi?" Chase asked, shooting me his signature lopsided grin. "I'm buying, so go crazy."

I glanced at the chalkboard listing out the daily specials, mostly local craft beers and cheap domestics. I contemplated something fruity and sweet, a treat to sip and savor.

But deep down I craved something stronger. Something to numb the gnawing sense of dread that had been growing steadily for the past few days. The more time I spent working in my father's office, the less comfortable I felt.

"Whiskey," I said decisively, the word feeling deliciously illicit on my tongue. "Double, neat."

Chase's eyebrows shot up, but he didn't question it. He just flagged down the bartender—a hulking, bearded behemoth I didn't recognize—and placed our order.

"Damn, Nat," he murmured as the guy turned to grab our drinks. "I didn't realize you were such a badass these days."

I shrugged. "What can I say? The big city toughened me up."

He chuckled, and I relaxed a bit more. God, I'd missed this—the sense of being known and accepted without question or judgment. Not having to put on a show or be constantly on like I had to with Liam or my friends and coworkers in the city.

The bartender set our drinks down with a thunk, fixing me with an appraising look. I met his gaze steadily. "Thank you," I said, bringing the glass to my lips.

"I don't know you," the bartender said.

"What I think you meant to say was, 'you're welcome.'"

The whiskey set my throat ablaze in the most delicious way. I closed my eyes, savoring the slow bloom of heat.

When I opened them again, he was still staring. I stared back. This guy looked like he'd just walked off the set of Sons of Anarchy. Not sure what his beef was, but I didn't budge.

"Alright, Kai," Chase cut in. "Relax. This is Natalie. Just got back in town, but she's a native. Lived in Sable Point longer than you have."

"Yeah, Kai. I'm a native. Who are you?" Two more seconds of eye contact, then he turned on his heel and went about his duties without another word.

When my standoff with the biker bartender ended, Chase was watching me with a curious expression, like he was seeing me for the first time. I offered him a sly smile, feeling reckless and invincible. "What?" I took another slow sip from my tumbler. "You act like you've never seen a girl drink whiskey before."

He blinked then grinned, tipping his bottle of beer toward me. "You're full of surprises these days, Nat. I like it."

We clinked drinks. Then Chase launched into a story about some misadventure from his latest stint working on a commercial fishing boat. It was easy, hanging with him like this. Easy to let the worries and responsibilities fade into the background noise of a small-town dive. Easy to be this version of myself again, a little wild and completely carefree.

We drank and swapped stories, the whiskey loosening my tongue until I was laughing more freely than I had in years. At some point, Chase slid closer on the battered barstool and casually draped his arm over the back of my seat.

Alarm bells rang, but not fast or loud enough because the next thing I knew, Chase was kissing me. I froze, staring wide-eyed as the door of Callaghan's swung open and Jasper walked in.

Chapter Sixteen

JASPER

"Jasper, slow down!"

Can't.

If I slowed down, I might have killed someone.

Namely my asshole brother.

My boots thundered against the pavement as Main Street blurred past in a haze of muted colors and distorted reflections. My sights were set on my apartment building on the edge of town. It was farther than I'd normally walk, but I needed to blow off some steam.

It wasn't working.

My jaw clenched so tight I could feel my teeth grinding. The muscles in my neck corded with tension, a dull ache spreading across my shoulders. I flexed my fingers, resisting the urge to ball them into fists as I marched on. Natalie's frantic voice chased after me, breathless and pleading.

"Please—ow! Shit!"

I spun around so fast I nearly lost my balance. The sight before me knocked the wind from my lungs more effectively than any punch. Natalie was on her hands and knees on the sidewalk, delicate frame shaking. Her dark hair cascaded around her face like a curtain, hiding her expression from view.

I was at her side in three long strides. I crouched in front of her and took her by the shoulders, feeling the heat of her skin through the thin fabric of her blouse. "Are you okay?" In my panic, the words came out harsher than I intended.

"No," she sobbed. "I'm not okay! Your stupid brother just kissed me, and it was gross!"

A laugh bubbled up my throat, completely at odds with the situation. It took some serious effort to swallow it back. Fuck. Only Natalie could make me want to laugh at a moment like this.

"And then you ran away from me, and I tripped, and look"— she thrust her palm towards my face— "I'm bleeding, Jasper! I'm bleeding."

I examined the angry red scrape, and a pang of guilt twisted in my gut. If I hadn't stormed off like an idiot, she wouldn't have gotten hurt.

"Okay, drama queen," I said gently. "Let's go get you cleaned up."

She finally lifted her head. The sight of those big brown eyes brimming with fresh tears and that full lower lip trembling made my chest ache.

"I didn't want him to kiss me, Jasper," she said, her voice small and vulnerable. "I only want you to kiss me."

My heart did a somersault. Hope and desire fought with the immediate instinct to protect myself. But the overwhelming need to comfort her won out in the end.

"I know, baby." The endearment slipped out as natural as breathing. I ran a hand over her silky hair, tucking some loose strands behind her ear.

Without thinking, I scooped her up in my arms. Her sharp squeal pierced the quiet evening air, equal parts surprise and delight. The sudden movement gave me a strong whiff of her vanilla perfume. It mingled oddly with the unmistakable scent of whiskey. If her unsteadiness and dramatics weren't indication enough, that smell confirmed it. She was drunk.

My mind swam with memories of sneaking beers from my dad's garage fridge in high school. Natalie's giggles, her flushed face and mischievous eyes—the image flashed before me, as real as the woman in my arms. Warm summer nights. Old blankets. The shadowed orchard. Her hair tumbling over her shoulders in glossy waves, strands clinging to the sheen of perspiration on her neck as she knocked back each swig.

A lifetime ago, yet I could almost feel the damp of the grass beneath us.

Fuck, how I missed those days. Everything seemed simpler, and I knew exactly where my life was headed.

I cradled Natalie against my chest as I continued the walk back to my apartment. She nestled her face into the crook of my neck and mumbled something indistinct. Her tears slowly subsided, her body relaxing into mine more and more with each step.

The streets were quieter then, and the faint sound of music drifted from a nearby open window. It was a melancholy tune that perfectly captured the bittersweet ache in my chest.

When we finally reached my apartment building, I shifted her weight to one arm, fumbling with my keys. It wasn't graceful, but I managed to get the door open without dropping her on her ass. The smells of home—old wood, coffee, and the faint trace of my cologne—greeted us as we stepped inside. I carried her to the kitchen and gently set her on the counter, making sure she was steady before stepping away to grab the first aid kit from under the sink.

"Lemme see," I coaxed, taking her hand in mine to examine the graze on her palm. It wasn't deep, but I cleaned it with an antiseptic wipe, wincing in sympathy at her hiss of pain.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, her eyes fixed on our joined hands. "For causing a scene. For drinking too much. For... everything."

I hated the defeat in her voice. The Natalie I knew was never defeated by anything. I tilted her chin up with my finger, needing her to see the sincerity in my eyes. "You have nothing to apologize for, you hear me? Chase is the one who crossed a line."

She nodded, fresh tears spilling over. I brushed them away with my thumb. "There," I said, placing a bandage over the wound and smoothing it gently. "All patched up."

"Thank you," she whispered.

Slowly, giving her every chance to pull away, I leaned in until my forehead rested against hers. "You okay, Nat?"

Her breath was warm against my lips as she exhaled shakily and nodded. The simple gesture, the closeness, made my heart race. I scooped her up again and carried her to my bedroom, relishing the way she fit perfectly in my arms. The floorboards creaked softly beneath our combined weight.

I set her on the bed and helped her out of her shoes, dropping them to the side. Her jeans came next, and I averted my eyes as much as possible, hyper-aware of how soft her skin felt beneath my fingers.

I wanted to touch her. Tease her. Take something I'd been missing out on for seven fucking years. But the physical satisfaction of it would do jack shit to fix the hole in my chest, and I didn't need her ripping it wide open again.

Plus, she had a boyfriend. She'd moved on. She was drunk, and she was hurting right now, so I did the noble thing—even if it was the last fucking thing I wanted to do.

I tucked her under the covers and stood next to the bed, prepared to head to the couch and dream of an alternate universe where she never left. But then she said three small words that changed everything.

"Stay with me?"

Her voice was thick and drowsy, her eyes already heavy with sleep. How could I deny her? Never could before. Couldn't imagine starting now.

"Always," I promised, the word carrying more weight than she knew or I cared to admit. Sliding in beside her, I gathered her close. She curled into me with a contented sigh, her body molding perfectly against mine.

The gentle sound of her breathing, the warmth of her body, the soft texture of her hair tickling my chin—it all combined to create a moment of perfect peace. For the first time in forever, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. As I started to drift off, one word echoed through my mind.

Home.

Chapter Seventeen

NATALIE

I woke slowly, head pounding and mouth dry as the Sahara. Last night's whiskey was exacting its revenge, and I was pretty sure there was a jackhammer drilling directly into my skull.

Groaning, I blinked away the remnants of sleep. It took a moment for my fuzzy brain to register that I wasn't in my bedroom at Mom's house. No, those navy blue sheets and the faint scent of pine could only belong to one person.

Jasper.

The events of last night flooded back in a dizzying rush. Drinking with Chase at Callaghan's, his unwanted kiss, running after Jasper and tripping on the sidewalk like a clumsy idiot. Jasper carrying me back to his apartment, tenderly bandaging my hand, tucking me into his bed...

Shit. I'll never drink whiskey again.

I sat up gingerly, the movement sending a fresh wave of pain ricocheting through my head. Squinting against the too-bright sunlight filtering through the blinds, I scanned the bedroom for any sign of Jasper. The adjoining bathroom door was open, the space beyond it empty and silent.

Huh. Maybe he's in the kitchen?

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, wincing as my bare feet hit the cool floor. Padding out to the living room, I was greeted by more empty space. No Jasper lounging on the couch, no scent of coffee brewing or bacon sizzling.

He wasn't here.

Disappointment settled like a stone in my gut. I had hoped to talk to him, to thank him for taking care of me last night. To apologize again for the chaos I caused, the hurt I saw in his eyes when he walked in on Chase kissing me.

The timing was almost suspect, like the universe was playing some cruel joke. What were the chances that Jasper would walk into Callaghan's at that exact moment?

And apparently, Jasper had better things to do that morning than stick around and nurse my hangover.

I couldn't blame him. I'd been back in Sable Point for less than two weeks, and I was already stirring up drama like it was my job.

God, what was I thinking? Drinking myself into oblivion, letting Chase get too close, running after Jasper like some lovesick fool. I was supposed to be the level-headed one, the fixer who swooped in to save the day. Not the hot mess who needed rescuing.

Sighing, I headed to the bathroom to freshen up. I wanted to look slightly less like a hungover raccoon before I ventured out in public. I splashed cold water on my face, finger-combed my tangled hair, and rinsed the stale taste of whiskey and bad decisions from my mouth.

It wasn't much, but it would have to do. I had a walk of shame to get through, and I didn't want to look like total roadkill while doing it.

I found my pants from last night folded neatly on the dresser, no doubt Jasper's doing. The memory of him sliding them off me last night sent a tiny crackle down my spine.

I pushed it aside. No point in dwelling on might-have-beens and roads not taken.

Once I was dressed, I took a moment to straighten the rumpled sheets on Jasper's bed and fold the comforter with military precision. It was the least I could do, considering he'd let my drunk ass crash there last night.

Then, after a fortifying breath, I let myself out of the apartment and began the long, lonely trek back to my mother's house.

The morning sun was obnoxiously bright, and the chirping birds were far too cheerful for my liking. A few early risers were out jogging or walking their dogs, but for the most part, the town was still sleepy and peaceful.

I wished I could say the same for my racing thoughts.

Images from last night kept flashing through my mind like some mortifying highlight reel. The burn of the whiskey going down, Chase's arm around my shoulders, his lips on mine. The shock on Jasper's face, the way he stormed out of the bar without a backward glance.

I knew Chase hadn't meant any harm. He's always been a flirt, always pushed boundaries. But last night, he crossed a line.

And Jasper, seeing the betrayal in his eyes, the way his jaw clenched and his fists balled at his sides, it gutted me. I wanted to run after him right then and explain that it wasn't what it looked like. That Chase caught me off guard, but I didn't want his kiss or his advances.

That the only person I wanted was Jasper.

The memory of admitting that out loud made me want to shrivel up and die right there on the pristine Sable Point sidewalks. Jasper wasn't my boyfriend. Hell, I wasn't even sure he was my friend.

None of that stopped me from chasing after him last night. But I was too slow, too unsteady on my feet. And by the time I caught up to him, babbling apologies and pleas, he was already shutting down. Closing himself off in that way he does when he's hurt and angry.

The only bright spot in the whole disastrous night was Jasper coming to my rescue when I tripped and fell. The tenderness in his touch as he cleaned my scraped hand, the concern in his voice when he asked if I was okay.

It gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, he still cared. That there was something left between us.

Lost in my swirling thoughts, I almost didn't notice the unfamiliar car parked in my mother's driveway. It wasn't until I was a few feet away that I recognized it. The sight was almost too much for my roiling stomach, and a sour spike of bile rose in my throat.

Liam's sleek black Audi.

Shit. He must have driven in from Chicago to surprise me for the weekend. And now he was probably wondering where the hell I was all night while he sat around waiting for me.

My feet felt like lead weights as I climbed the porch steps and let myself into the house. The TV was playing softly in the living room, some mindless morning talk show. I followed the sound, mentally composing explanations and apologies.

Sure enough, there was Liam, perched on the edge of the sofa like he was ready to bolt at any moment. He looked up as I entered, relief and concern warring on his handsome face.

"Nat! Thank God." He rose to greet me, arms outstretched, but I held up a hand to stop him. I couldn't deal with his touch right now, not when my skin was still crawling from Chase's unwanted kiss. Not when all I could think about was Jasper's gentle hands on me.

"Liam, what are you doing here?" My voice came out tired and strained.

He frowned, hurt clouding his blue eyes. "I wanted to surprise you. I know how hard these last couple weeks have been, sorting things out at your dad's firm. I thought we could spend some quality time together, help take your mind off things."

I closed my eyes briefly. This was going to suck. But I couldn't keep stringing him along, not when my heart clearly belonged to someone else.

"Liam, we need to talk."

His frown deepened, but he nodded, sinking back onto the couch. I perched beside him, careful to keep a bit of distance between us.

"I'm sorry," I began, my voice soft but steady. "I should've done this sooner, before you drove all the way up here. But last night made me realize some things. Things I've been trying to ignore or deny for a long time."

Liam went still beside me, his posture stiff. "What kind of things?"

I forced myself to look him in the face. He deserved that much, at least.

"The truth is, being back here, it brought up a lot of old feelings, and I can't ignore them anymore."

"Feelings about what?"

I chewed on my bottom lip, unsure how much information to divulge.

Liam's eyes were wide with concern and a hint of fear as he asked, "Where were you last night, Natalie? I got here and your mom said you were out with a friend. She went to bed, and I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up and you still weren't here, I thought... Oh god, did you cheat on me?"

"No! No, I swear." The memory of Chase's lips on mine flashed through my mind and I winced. "Well..."

"Fuck!" Liam's face contorted with anger and hurt.

"It's not what you think. Chase, he kissed me. I didn't want him to. I stopped him."

Liam's fists clenched at his sides. "Your neighbor? I'll fucking kill him."

"Get in line," I muttered, thinking of Jasper's reaction.

"Seriously, who just goes around kissing people without their permission?"

"Do you always ask my permission?"

"Well, no, but—" He inhaled slowly and then breathed out, visibly trying to calm himself. "Okay, what is going on? I'm so fucking confused."

Join the club. "Jasper, Chase's brother⁠—"

"I know who he is," Liam interjected, his tone clipped.

"Right. Well, Jasper and I dated." The words felt strange on my tongue, inadequate to describe the depth of what Jasper and I shared.

Liam's brow furrowed. "I didn't know that."

I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, avoiding his gaze. "I didn't tell you. I've never really told anyone outside of Sable Point."

"Why not?"

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to look at him again. "It was too painful, I guess. We'd been friends our whole lives. We were each other's first everything. The summer after we graduated high school, we... broke up. I left for Chicago the next day, and I hadn't been back since."

Liam blinked. "Shit. No wonder that dude looked like he wanted to kill me. Jesus, Nat. You should've told me."

"I know, I'm sorry. Being back here, though, it's made me realize that I never really dealt with how things ended. Never got the closure I needed."

"So what does that mean for us?"

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. "I'm not sure there should be an 'us.'"

His throat bobbed convulsively, then he stared blankly at the floor. "I guess I should've seen this coming," he said quietly. "The way you've been distant lately. Avoiding my calls and messages. I guess I just hoped it was about your grief more than anything."

"I'm sorry. You're a great guy, Liam. You've been nothing but good to me.

He nodded, jaw tight. "I appreciate your honesty, even if it's not what I wanted to hear." He blew out a breath, running a hand through his sleep-mussed hair. "You've never really been all in, have you? There was always a part of you holding back, like you were waiting for something else. Or someone else, I guess."

His words gripped me by the heart and twisted. He was right. I'd been using him as a placeholder, a distraction from the gaping Jasper-shaped hole in my life. It wasn't fair to either of us.

"I'm sorry," I said again, knowing full well how inadequate those words were. "You deserve so much better than I can give you."

He was silent for a long moment, his gaze distant. Then with a small, sad smile, he reached over to squeeze my shoulder. "I hope he makes you happy, Nat. I really do."

With that, he rose from the couch and gathered his overnight bag from the floor. I wanted to protest, to tell him Jasper washed his hands of me years ago. But I couldn't bear to speak the words, half afraid they might be the honest-to-god truth and half afraid I'd give Liam undue hope.

I walked him to the door, a lump the size of a fist lodged in my throat. We embraced stiffly before he headed out to his car.

As I watched him go, a strange mix of sadness and relief washed over me. Relief that I was no longer living a lie. Relief that I was finally being honest with myself, even if the truth was messy and complicated.

Sighing, I closed the front door and leaned my forehead against the solid wood. I took a moment just to breathe, to center myself in the quiet stillness of the house.

My moment of reflection was eventually broken by the back door opening and falling shut.

"Natalie? You home?" Mom's voice floated in from the kitchen. I pushed off the door and headed toward the sound, suddenly craving her comforting presence.

I found her at the counter, unloading groceries. She took one look at my haggard face and opened her arms without a word. I fell into her embrace, letting her soothing touch and soft murmurs wash over me.

"Oh, honey. Rough night?"

I choked out a sound that was half sob, half laugh. "You could say that."

She pulled back, studying me. "Where's Liam?"

"Gone."

She gave a sympathetic grimace and went back to unloading groceries. A container of blueberries peeked out from the top of one of the bags. "Why don't I fix you some breakfast, then we can talk."

I sank into a chair at the kitchen table and rested my forehead on the wood. The hangover got the better of me, and I drifted off. The next thing I was aware of was a hand on my shoulder. I snapped up as Mom placed a plate of fluffy, syrup-soaked pancakes and a glass of milk in front of me. She took a seat with her own plate and said, "Okay, spill. What's going on?"

So I spilled. I told her everything—the troubling financial discrepancies in Ever Eden's books, reconnecting with Jasper, the ill-fated night of drinking, Chase's kiss, breaking things off with Liam. It all poured out of me in a cathartic rush, the burden lightening with each confession.

Mom listened intently. Now and then she asked clarifying questions. When I finally wound down, she reached across the table to take my hand.

"You've been dealing with so much lately. I'm sorry I haven't been more present, more supportive."

I squeezed her fingers, shaking my head. "No, Mom, don't apologize. You're grieving. We both are."

She gave me a sad smile. "Grief is a strange beast, isn't it? It sneaks up on you when you least expect it." She took a bite of her pancakes, gathering her thoughts. "But it sounds like maybe this isn't just about your dad. It's about Jasper too."

I ducked my head, heat creeping into my cheeks. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to someone who knows you as well as I do. Honey, I watched you two fall in love. I saw the way you looked at each other, like nothing else in the world mattered. That kind of connection doesn't just go away."

I pressed my stinging eyes with the heels of my palms, pushing back the tears. "But I ruined it, Mom. I left him. I broke his heart."

"And yours too, I think. Natalie, you were so young. So full of dreams and ambitions. No one blames you for wanting to spread your wings, to see what else was out there."

"But I hurt him," I whispered. My throat clenched as the old guilt rose up to choke me. "I hurt him so badly."

"You did," she agreed gently. "But he's not blameless either. It takes two to make a relationship work."

I nodded, worrying my bottom lip between my teeth. "I don't know if we can ever get back what we had. If he can ever forgive me."

Mom took my hand again, her grip strong and sure. "Of course you can't. You're different people now. Seven years is a long time, especially at your age. As much as we might want to, none of us has the power to turn the clock back. But you're both older and wiser now. Perhaps you can build something new. Something even stronger than you had before."

She pinned me with a look, fierce and loving all at once. "If you still love Jasper—and I think you do—then you owe it to yourself to find out if there's still a chance for you two."

A single tear escaped, tracking down my cheek. I brushed it away, sniffling. "You make it sound so simple."

"Oh, it won't be simple. I can guarantee that." She smiled wryly. "Love is messy and complicated and downright terrifying sometimes. But it's also the greatest adventure you'll ever have."

I let out a shaky laugh. "When did you get so wise?"

"I've always been wise. You just never listened." She winked. The gesture was so reminiscent of Dad that it made my heart ache. They say you pick up mannerisms from the people you spend a lot of time with. That fact had never been clearer to me than right now. I hoped she never lost those little pieces of him that we could both hang onto.

We finished our breakfast in companionable silence. When we were done, Mom rose to clear the dishes, waving me off when I tried to help.

"You go on and get some rest," she said firmly. "You look dead on your feet. We can talk more later."

I pressed a kiss to her cheek, murmuring my thanks, before trudging up the stairs to my bedroom, fatigue settling over me like a weighted blanket.

My body sighed with relief as I stripped down to my underwear and crawled beneath the cool sheets. I drifted off to sleep thinking of the tender way Jasper touched me last night.

Mom was right. If there was even a chance that he still felt something for me, I had to try. I had to take that leap of faith, no matter how scary it was or how many complications stood in our way.

Because a love like ours was worth fighting for.

Chapter Eighteen

JASPER

The leather of the steering wheel squeaked under my white-knuckled grip. I had been driving around for hours, willing the torrent of emotions I was feeling to calm the fuck down. Seeing Liam's car parked in Marie's driveway had only made things worse.

I whipped the truck into my parents' driveway. But home sweet home wasn't looking so sweet right now. There was a goddamn snake in the basement.

Breathe, Jas. Don't lose your shit before you even get inside.

Rage simmered beneath my skin, threatening to boil over at any second. I threw my beat-up truck in Park, climbed out, and slammed the door hard enough to rattle the windows.

The bang was satisfying.

I wanted him to know I was coming.

Dad and Elliot were in the kitchen drinking coffee. Their startled expressions barely registered as I barreled down the basement stairs.

The stench of stale beer and sweat was dense and cloying. Chase was sprawled across his futon bed, dead to the world.

"Wake the fuck up, asshole!" I snarled, yanking the covers off him.

Chase groaned, squinting up at me through bloodshot eyes. "Jesus Christ, Jas. What the hell?"

"You know exactly what." I grabbed a fistful of his shirt, hauling him upright. "You crossed a line last night."

He blinked blearily. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb. You kissed Natalie."

The words hung between us, sharp and accusatory. Chase's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before narrowing.

"So what if I did?" He pulled out of my grip and straightened up, bringing us chest to chest. "It's not like you two are together anymore."

"That's not the fucking point, and you know it."

He scrubbed a hand over his face, wincing at the movement. "Look, can we do this later? My head's killing me."

"No, we can't do this later," I spat, advancing on him. "You don't get to brush this off like it's nothing."

He held up his hands, taking a stumbling step backward. "Easy there, little brother. It was just a kiss. No need to get your panties in a twist."

The smirk playing at the corners of his mouth was the last straw. My fist connected with his jaw before I even realized I'd thrown the punch. He staggered, eyes wide with shock, before lunging at me with a roar.

We crashed into his dresser, sending bottles and cans clattering to the floor. The smell of spilled beer filled the air as we grappled, trading wild swings. My knuckles stung as they connected with his ribs, but the pain was distant, drowned out by the roaring in my ears.

"What the hell is going on down here?" Elliot's voice cut through the chaos.

Hands grabbed at my shoulders, trying to pull me back. I shrugged them off, laser-focused on Chase's bloody grin.

"That all you got, Jas?" he taunted, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the concrete basement floor.

Growling, I charged at him again. We slammed into the wall, rattling the shelves above.

"Enough!" Dad's commanding voice boomed through the basement. "Both of you, knock it off right now!"

Strong arms wrapped around my chest, yanking me backward. I struggled against Elliot's grip, chest heaving as I glared at Chase. He wiped blood from his split lip, eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and mischief.

"What the hell has gotten into you two?" Dad demanded, stepping between us.

Before either of us could answer, the basement door flew open again. Mom appeared at the top of the stairs, her expression a perfect blend of concern and fury.

"I will not have fighting in this house!" she declared, voice ringing with authority. "You're grown men, for heaven's sake. Start acting like it!"

The fight drained out of me in an instant, shame replacing the anger. Chase slumped against the wall, suddenly looking every bit as hungover as he must have felt.

"Sorry, Ma," he mumbled, not quite meeting her eyes.

"Don't apologize to me," she snapped. "Apologize to each other. And then get yourselves cleaned up. You look like you've been through a war."

She turned on her heel, leaving us to stew in the aftermath of our brawl. Dad gave us both a hard look before following her up the stairs. Elliot released his hold on me, shaking his head in disgust.

"Real mature, guys. Way to make Mom's day even worse."

Guilt rushed over me in a sickening wave.

Fuck. How could I have forgotten?

Today was anniversary of her sister's death. No wonder Dad looked so stressed when I stormed in. I'd never known my aunt. She died before Mom and Dad met. It's a long story, apparently. One they'd never shared.

I ran a hand through my hair, hissing as my fingers brushed against a tender spot on my scalp. Chase was gingerly prodding at his swollen jaw.

"Look, man," he started, voice rough, "I'm sorry about Natalie. I was drunk, and it just... happened."

The anger flared up again, but I tamed it down. "It shouldn't have happened at all."

"I know. It won't happen again."

I wanted to believe him, but the memory of his lips on Natalie's made my hands twitch into fists again. How was I supposed to trust him after this?

"Just stay away from her, alright?" I muttered, turning to head upstairs.

"Jas, wait." Chase's voice stopped me at the foot of the stairs. I glanced back, eyebrow raised. He hesitated, chewing on his words before speaking. "I really am sorry. Natalie's my friend. I shouldn't have crossed that line."

I wasn't ready to look at him. My eyes remained fixed on a crack in the basement floor. The silence stretched, taut as a bowstring.

Elliot's unyielding voice cut through the tension. "You owe Natalie an apology too."

I glanced up in time to see Chase's contrite nod. "Yeah, I'll head over to Marie's now."

"She's not at Marie's. She's asleep in my bed." The words were out before I had time to think them through.

Elliot's eyebrows shot up, his mouth forming a perfect 'o' of surprise. "Oh, damn. Did not see that coming."

I braced myself, knowing what was coming next. Sure enough, Chase's face split into a shit-eating grin. "Sounds like Jas saw Nat coming though, amirite?"

My nails dug into my palms. "Shut up, jackass. It wasn't like that. She was upset." My lips twitched into a smirk. "In fact, she said kissing you was gross."

Chase's grin faltered. "Bullshit, she did not."

"Sure as fuck did," I shot back, a perverse satisfaction rising in me at his wounded expression.

Chase's shoulders slumped. I could almost hear his ego deflating. "Well that's just... not nice at all."

Elliot rolled his eyes, clearly done with both of us. "You'll get over it."

Chapter Nineteen

NATALIE

I was so engrossed in the numbers on my screen that I didn't hear him approach until his deep voice sounded from the doorway.

"Where's your boyfriend?"

I startled and looked up. Jasper was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his broad chest and an inscrutable expression on his face. He was wearing faded jeans and a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his tanned, muscular forearms.

"I don't have a boyfriend."

Jasper narrowed his eyes. "Pretty sure I saw his car in your mom's driveway when I pulled into the orchard this morning."

"Yeah, well... we broke up."

"Hmm. So now you're here, working on a Saturday?"

I must have looked a mess, makeup smudged and hair disheveled from running my fingers through it. Recovering quickly, I leaned back in my chair and raised an eyebrow. "What can I say? The glamorous life of an accountant never stops."

Jasper's lips quirked, but his amber eyes were intense as they swept over me, taking in the dark circles and pallor that even my industrial-strength concealer couldn't hide. "Looks more like you're still recovering from a rough night of whiskey. Those numbers making you cross-eyed yet?"

My snort of laughter made my head throb, a vicious reminder of last night's overindulgence. "Something like that. What brought you by the office at this hour? Shouldn't you be out tipping cows or whatever it is you country boys do for fun?"

"Tipping cows? Really?" He shook his head, a full-blown smile spreading across his handsome face. "Damn, city girl. You've got some funny ideas about us country folk."

"Well, maybe you should enlighten me then." The words came out more flirtatious than I intended.

Something flashed in Jasper's eyes, there and gone too quickly to decipher. He pushed off the doorframe and sauntered into the office. I could smell the crisp scent of his skin, the earthiness of soil and sweat beneath. It was intoxicating, dredging up a thousand sense memories of fevered kisses in the orchard and tangled limbs in the bed of his truck.

I licked my dry lips, trying to corral my wayward thoughts. But Jasper's proximity made it impossible to think straight.

"Actually, I came by to see how you were doing." His voice was low, almost hesitant. "I know last night was... a lot."

Hot, itchy shame prickled under my skin. God, could I have made a bigger fool of myself? Throwing myself at him like some drunken sorority girl, blubbering all over his shirt, then falling asleep in his bed.

"Jasper, I'm sorry." The words fell out in a garbled rush. "I was completely out of line. I never should have put you in that position."

"Hey." His fingers brushed my forearm. The contact sent a pleasant shiver rippling over my skin. "You're allowed to have fun. It was Chase who crossed a line he shouldn't have."

The warm understanding look in his eyes settled something inside me and eased the knot of tension between my shoulder blades. "Thank you," I murmured, my voice suddenly thick. "For taking care of me. For being there when I needed you."

His hand tightened on my arm. Through the fabric of my cardigan, I felt his thumb rubbing in soothing circles. "Anytime, Nat. You know that."

The air between us felt thick and charged. All the longing that had been building between us since the moment I came home felt ready to erupt.

I was seized by the reckless urge to close the distance between us. To wind my fingers through his dark hair and crush my lips to his. To lose myself in the intoxicating heat of his body, the drugging slide of his tongue against mine.

Jasper seemed to sense the shift in my mood, the slight tensing of my muscles under his palm. He cleared his throat and dropped his hand, putting a bit of distance between us.

"Listen, I was thinking." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I still owe you a proper apology for being such an ass at the funeral. And for running out on you last week after burgers. And for Sammy." He paused and frowned. "I've got a lot to apologize for."

I attempted to protest, but he held up a hand to stop me.

"Let me finish, okay? I know I've been hot and cold with you since you've been back. Sending mixed signals, acting like a jealous prick one minute and pushing you away the next. The truth is, I don't know how to do this." He gestured between us. "Having you here, being around you again, it's stirring up a lot of old feelings. Feelings I thought I'd dealt with."

A wild hope fluttered behind my breastbone. Is he saying what I think he's saying?

"I get it," I said softly, holding his gaze. "Believe me, I do. Being back here, seeing you, it's brought up a lot for me too."

He made a convulsive movement with his arm, like he was about to reach out but changed his mind. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm sorry. For not handling this better. For not being the friend you need right now."

Or not.

"Friend," I echoed. The bubble of happiness deflated abruptly. Was that all he wanted from me? I nodded, pasting on a smile that felt brittle and false. "Of course. I understand."

He studied me for a moment. Then he held out a hand, a determined glint in his eye.

"Come on. Let's get out of here."

I blinked stupidly at the proffered hand. "What? Where are we going?"

He gave me a boyish grin that made my heart flip. "Anywhere but this stuffy office. You need a break. And I happened to know the best ice cream spot in town."

I hesitated, glancing around at the looming piles of paperwork. Responsible Natalie knew I should stay, keep slogging through the numbers until I found some answers.

I did need a break. Chase had taken me for drinks. Liam would have taken me to some fancy restaurant that required a suit coat. But Jasper… Jasper wanted to take me for ice cream. And the whispering devil on my shoulder wanted more stolen hours of normalcy, easy conversation, laughter, and sugar on my tongue.

"Okay," I said slowly, my face breaking into the first real smile of the day. "Ice cream sounds perfect, actually."

Jasper's grin widened. "That's my girl."

The endearment slipped past his lips so naturally that neither of us noticed. Not at first, anyway.

Then the implication of it settled between us. Jasper's smile faltered, that brief flash of warmth dimming as the present crashed back in.

We weren't carefree kids anymore. We'd been irrevocably changed, our innocence shattered by the harsh realities of heartbreak and loss.

But maybe... maybe that wasn't such a bad thing. Maybe the scars we bore and the lessons we'd learned would finally allow us to figure this thing between us out. To at least be friends if we couldn't be anything more. Just like Mom said. Because she knows things.

Jasper cleared his throat. "Shall we?"

He gestured toward the door. I grabbed my purse, ditched my cardigan, and fell into step beside him as we headed out into the balmy summer evening. The streets were quiet, most shops already closed for the day, and the first hints of twilight tinged the sky in soft shades of violet and rose. Our footsteps echoed on the sidewalk as we walked, close but not quite touching.

It was strange, strolling through town with Jasper like that. Strange and painfully familiar all at once. How many times had we meandered down those same streets as teenagers, fingers intertwined and hearts full to bursting? How many lazy summer evenings had we wasted away at the ice cream parlor, splitting sundaes and stealing kisses between bites?

The memories washed over me in a bittersweet torrent, tightening my throat and pricking at the backs of my eyes. God, we were so young. So naïve.

If only we'd known what the future held. Would we have cherished those moments more? Held each other a little tighter, loved a little harder?

I gave myself a mental shake. There was no use dwelling on the past. All we had was the here and now, this tentative olive branch Jasper was extending.

I sneaked a glance at him out of the corner of my eye, taking in the strong lines of his profile. The stubborn jut of his chin, the sharp cut of his cheekbones. He was even more handsome than I remembered, the boyish softness of youth hardened into something rugged and undeniably masculine.

But beneath the surface changes, there was still the Jasper I knew. The quiet strength, the fierce loyalty, the wry humor in those warm amber eyes. He was still in there, my sweet, steady boy. Just a little rougher around the edges, a little more jaded by life's hardships.

We reached the ice cream parlor, the cheerful jingle of the bell above the door pulling me from my musings. As we stepped inside, the sugary-sweet scent of waffle cones and hot fudge triggered yet another wave of nostalgia. I was seventeen again. Delirious with the simple pleasures of a summer evening spent with the boy who held my heart in his hands.

Jasper didn't seem to notice my moment of disorientation. He held the door open for me, ushering me inside with a gentle hand at the small of my back. A fleeting touch, barely there and gone again. But it felt laden with meaning, heavy with the echoes of a thousand other touches just like it.

I had barely recovered before he was at the counter, frowning in concentration as he perused the chalkboard menu with the intense focus he applied to everything.

I allowed myself a smile at the way his tongue poked out ever-so-slightly as he weighed his options. It was such a Jasper thing, the need to carefully consider every variable before making a decision.

When the girl behind the counter finally approached, all bright smiles and bouncing ponytail, he didn't miss a beat.

"I'll take a double scoop of Moose Tracks in a waffle cone, please," he said, then paused, glancing over his shoulder at me. "Nat? You still like mint chip, right?"

The casual question stole the breath from my lungs. He remembered. After all these years, he still remembered my favorite ice cream flavor.

I nodded mutely, too choked up to speak. Jasper nodded and turned back to the girl. "Make that two—a double scoop of mint chip for the lady."

"You got it," she chirped, all youthful energy as she set about scooping our orders.

Jasper accepted the towering cones with a murmured thanks before handing me mine. Our fingers brushed in the exchange, and that ever-present spark zinged between us, raising goosebumps along my arms.

Color rose on Jasper's cheeks. He cleared his throat and nodded toward the door. "You wanna...?"

"Yeah," I said quickly. "Yeah, let's go."

We wandered in silence for a few blocks, each of us focused on our rapidly melting treats. There was something comforting in the simplicity of it, in the way it stripped away all the layers of baggage and expectation to leave just... us.

Eventually, we found ourselves in the small park that bordered the bay on Lake Michigan. The setting sun cast everything in a warm, honeyed glow. Jasper settled onto a bench overlooking the water, and I joined him without a second thought. The breeze off the water was cool, ruffling my hair and raising goosebumps on my bare arms.

Jasper noticed my shiver and shrugged out of his flannel. He draped it over my shoulders, ignoring my protests. The fabric was warm from his body heat, his pine, musk, and soil scent wrapping around me like a hug.

"Thanks," I said, burrowing deeper into the shirt. It was far too big on me. The sleeves fell past my fingertips. But it felt like armor, a tangible reminder of his presence, his protection.

Jasper just nodded, his gaze fixed on the moonlit water. We lapsed into silence again, but it felt different this time. Tense and awkward. It was as if all the issues we hadn't talked about somehow knew that now would be the perfect moment, and they were all clamoring to get out.

"I always thought I'd leave this place, ya know." Jasper's voice was so quiet I barely heard him. "Had all these big dreams of seeing the world, making something of myself."

I gaped at him. "Really? You never said anything."

He shrugged, his eyes still fixed on the horizon. "Didn't think I needed to."

"I always thought you wanted to stay here. Work at the orchard with your family."

Jasper was quiet for a long beat. When he finally spoke, his words were measured, tinged with a wistfulness that tugged at my heart. "Part of me did. This place is part of who I am, same as it is for you. But the other part..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "I don't know, Nat. Maybe I'm just a dreamer at heart, chasing something that was never meant to be mine."

"Why didn't you go? If that's what you really wanted, why stay here?"

Jasper turned to face me then, his expression half-hidden by the fading light. "You know why."

And just like that, the air vanished from my lungs.

Me.

I was the reason he never left.

He wanted to leave for me.

He wanted to leave with me.

Instead, I left without him.

Chapter Twenty

JASPER

I released a shaky breath as I wandered through the rows of trees, my footsteps crunching on twigs and fallen leaves. The moonlight cast eerie shadows, bathing the orchard in a haunting glow that intensified the ache in my chest.

This place held so many memories. Every nook and cranny was etched with moments I'd shared with Natalie over the years—that crooked apple tree where we used to climb and read for hours, the clearing where I told her I loved her for the first time, the old oak that served as our special meeting spot.

Our tree.

I stopped short when I reached the familiar spot. The majestic oak that had towered over us for so many years, the one we carved our initials into with my pocketknife when we were just kids. It was gone, nothing but a stump remaining. It had been gone for years, but it still gutted me every time I saw it.

God, what was I thinking? Dragging up ancient history like that. It wasn't like it changed anything. Not like it could erase the hurt or magically fix what had shattered between us.

And yet...

It had felt so good to talk to her.

Until she bolted. Mumbling something about needing to grab something from the office and ran.

She was good at that.

"Jasper?"

I jumped at the sound of her voice. Turning, I saw her standing a few feet away, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

"I didn't expect to find you out here," she said. "I thought you went home."

I gave a half-shrug, not trusting my voice. My gaze drifted back to the stump, and my throat spasmed.

Natalie followed my line of sight, and a soft gasp escaped her lips. "Oh, the tree..."

"Yeah. It's gone."

A yawning silence expanded between us, filling the surrounding air. I could practically taste its weight on my tongue.

"I can't believe they cut it down," she whispered.

"It was dying. Rotting from the inside out."

Just like us.

The thought hovered in the air, unvoiced but understood. We had been so full of life and promise once, our bond as sturdy and unshakable as that old oak. But then everything went to shit, the rot setting in until there was nothing but an empty shell, a hollow reminder of what we used to be.

"Jasper, I..." Natalie's voice cracked, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. But she didn't say anything. She shook her head, at a loss for words.

I couldn't take it anymore.

I'd reached my boiling point, just like Chase had said I would. Except this time, I was in a screaming and throwing things mood.

"What happened, Natalie?" I demanded. "I asked you to marry me! And you said no! No, wait—you didn't just say no. You fled the fucking state! Fuck! What do you expect from me?" I threw my arms wide, groping for a gesture big enough to convey my frustration.

"We were eighteen, Jasper. I was scared!"

"Scared of what, Nat? As if I'd ever let anything bad happen to you!"

"I know that! It wasn't about that."

"Then what was it about? Explain it to me, because I sure as hell don't understand. We had plans, Nat. Dreams. A future together. And you threw it all away like it meant nothing!"

She flinched at my harsh tone, tears now streaming down her face. "It meant everything to me, Jasper. You meant everything to me. That's why I couldn't do it."

I stared at her, uncomprehending. "What are you talking about?"

She took a shuddering breath. "I wanted out of Sable Point so badly, Jasper. I had all these big dreams—traveling the world, pursuing my passions, making something of myself. And I was terrified. Terrified that if I married you, I'd be stuck here forever. That I'd have to watch you work on the orchard day in and day out while my own aspirations withered and died."

She looked at me with tear-filled eyes, pleading for understanding. "I couldn't bear the thought of resenting you because I felt trapped. So I did the only thing I could think of. I broke both our hearts instead."

A choked sob escaped her lips, and she buried her face in her hands, her slim shoulders shaking with the force of her cries. "I'm so sorry, Jasper. I was a coward. I was young and stupid and scared and I-I ran. And in the process, I destroyed the best thing I've ever had."

I shook my head before she even finished speaking, a bitter laugh escaping my throat. "You think I would have chosen the goddamn orchard over you? I'm not saying it wouldn't have been hard to leave, but damn, my parents have three other kids to take care of shit here. Jesus, Natalie, I would've gone anywhere, done anything, as long as I had you. That's all I ever wanted."

"I know that now," she whispered brokenly. "I told myself I was doing the right thing. But I was wrong, Jasper. I was so wrong, and I'm sorry."

The anguish in her voice cut through me like a knife. My anger drained away, replaced by a bone-deep weariness. "You're sorry," I said quietly, "but sorry doesn't change anything."

Natalie nodded, her shoulders slumping. "I know I have no right to ask for your forgiveness. But I need you to know that walking away from you was the hardest thing I've ever done. And not a day has gone by that I haven't regretted it."

I walked over to the stump of that old oak tree, sat down, and closed my eyes, letting her words wash over me. It was tempting to hold on to the anger. Bitterness was the shield I'd used to protect my shattered heart all these years. But another part, the part that never stopped loving her, ached to reach out, to pull her into my arms.

Because no matter how much she hurt me, no matter how far we'd drifted, she was still Natalie.

My girl.

My best friend since before I could remember.

The girl who owned every piece of my heart.

I looked at her out of the corner of my eye. She was still beautiful. Maybe even more beautiful than I remembered. The years had added graceful maturity to her delicate features. But there were shadows in her eyes that hadn't been there before, a weariness.

Just like me.

We'd both been through hell, but maybe we could choose to put it all behind us.

"Come here." My voice was gruff, demanding.

She hesitated for just a moment before stepping forward. She stopped an arm's length away, looking at me questioningly.

I reached for her. My hands found her waist, and I pulled her to me. She came willingly, melting into my embrace as I buried my face in her stomach. I breathed her in, the scent of her filling my lungs, warming me from the inside out.

Her fingers threaded through my hair, nails lightly scratching my scalp in that way always drove me wild. My hands flexed on her hips, itching to slip beneath the hem, to feel her bare skin against my palms.

Fuck, I wanted her. No. I needed her with an intensity that bordered on pain.

Her breathing hitched, her belly quivering under my cheek. I tilted my head back to look at her. The raw hunger in her eyes stole the breath from my lungs. She gazed down at me, lips parted, pupils blown wide and dark.

I was seeing her stripped bare. No walls, no pretenses. Just Natalie, open and wanting. For me.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I trailed my hands up her sides, learning her curves all over again. I skimmed my fingers along the dip of her waist, the jut of her hip bone. Teasing, exploring, reacquainting myself with every inch of her. My cock twitched against my thigh at the needy little whimpers escaping her throat.

Her hands slid from my hair to cup my jaw, tilting my face up to hers. Her thumbs rasped over the stubble on my cheeks. I leaned into her caress, starving for more. Always more, when it came to her.

Slowly, deliberately, she sank down onto my lap, straddling my thighs. I bit back a groan and gripped her hips, holding her steady as she settled against me.

And then we just... looked at each other. No words, no sound but our ragged breathing and the crickets chirping in the grass.

Natalie's eyes searched mine, dark and luminous in the moonlight. I saw my own longing reflected back at me, that desperate need to reconnect.

But there was fear there too. Uncertainty. The kind that comes from too many years and too much distance. From wounds that never fully healed.

I wanted to kiss it away. To soothe every hurt, erase every doubt. Show her with my hands, my mouth, my body, that this—us—was still real. Still alive, despite everything.

I leaned in. Her breath caught, but she didn't retreat. Just licked her lips, eyes dropping to my mouth.

Fuck, that was hot.

I closed the last bit of distance between us, brushing my lips over hers. A barely-there graze, more breath than contact. But it zinged through me, setting every nerve ending on fire.

She made a soft, desperate sound, and then she was kissing me back. Hard and deep. Her fingers curled into the hair at my nape, tugging me closer as her lips slanted over mine. Demanding, consuming, like she wanted to crawl inside me and never come out.

I groaned into her mouth and slid my hands up her back to crush her against my chest. She fit me perfectly. Her slender curves molded to my harder planes like she was made for me. Like we were made for each other.

Kissing her was like surfacing for air after being underwater too long. It was heat and hunger, tenderness, and passion, a thousand memories flooding back in an overwhelming rush.

The sweet give of her lips. The hot slide of her tongue against my own. The breathy little noises she made when I nipped at her bottom lip.

I'd almost forgotten how responsive she was. But it was all coming back now—every touch, every taste, every sigh and moan and gasp.

I could kiss her for hours, for days. Drown in her and never come up for air. But the need for more—to feel her skin against mine, to be inside her—was a living thing, clawing at my gut.

I tore my mouth from hers with a ragged groan and trailed hot, open-mouthed kisses along the column of her throat. She tipped her head back with a gasp, giving me better access. I took advantage, sucking at her pulse point until she was squirming in my lap, her hips rocking against me in search of friction.

"Jas," she breathed. And fuck, the way she said my name—all breathy and needy—nearly undid me.

I knew what she wanted, what we both wanted.. But I forced myself to slow down, to savor her. We had time now. We could make up for every lost moment.

And I was gonna do it right this time around.

I eased her back until she was lying in the grass, hair fanned out around her like a dark halo. I braced my weight on my elbows and hovered over her, drinking her in. The flush on her cheeks, the rapid rise and fall of her chest. The way her eyes glittered up at me, hazy with desire but soft with something deeper. Something that looked a lot like love.

"Natalie." I brushed the hair back from her face with a reverent hand. "My beautiful girl."

Her eyes glistened. She reached up and brushed her thumb over my bottom lip. "Yours," she whispered. "I never stopped being yours."

The words pierced me like shrapnel. God, I wanted that to be true. Wanted it so badly I could taste it.

But we still had a long way to go. A lot to work through.

But in that perfect moment under the stars, none of that mattered. All that existed was her and me, our bodies and hearts reunited. The rest could wait until tomorrow.

I dipped my head to capture her lips again, pouring everything into the kiss. Every ounce of longing, every shred of hope. She met me with equal enthusiasm, arching up to press her body flush against mine.

My fingers slipped beneath the hem of her shirt to stroke the silky skin of her waist. She shivered, a needy moan escaping her lips. The sound shot straight to my aching cock, already painfully hard against the confines of my jeans.

"Jas," she gasped as I kissed along her jaw and down her throat. "Need you. Please."

The desperation in her voice had me tugging at her shirt impatiently. I needed to feel more of her. She sat up just enough for me to whisk it over her head and toss it aside while she unclasped her bra. It joined her shirt in the grass, leaving her naked from the waist up. I took in the delicious sight of her laid out before me, my eyes roaming over acres of smooth porcelain skin. Her breasts were small, perfect perky mounds, nipples pebbled in the cool night air. I couldn't resist cupping them in my palms and brushing my thumbs over the sensitive peaks.

"Beautiful," I rasped. "So fucking beautiful."

A pretty pink spread across her chest as she flushed under my heated gaze. She reached for me, and her nimble fingers made quick work of the buttons on my flannel. I shrugged out of it hastily and whipped my t-shirt over my head, letting both fall to the grass.

Her hands mapped the planes of my chest, the ridges of my abs. Sparks of pleasure danced along my nerve endings everywhere she touched.

I crushed my mouth to hers again, kissing her deep and dirty as my hand drifted lower, popping the button on her jeans. She lifted her hips to help me shimmy them down her legs, taking her panties with them.

And fuck, if she wasn't the most gorgeous thing I'd ever seen, splayed out naked in the moonlight. A goddess, a siren, a fucking miracle.

I hastily shucked my pants off. All that separated us was the flimsy fabric of my boxer briefs.

"Jasper," she whimpered, hips bucking as I settled between her thighs. I could feel her heat, the slick evidence of her arousal. It took every ounce of control not to just bury myself inside her, to claim her the way my body was screaming to.

But I wanted to savor this. I took my time as I covered her in soft, lingering kisses, on her breasts, her ribcage, the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. Soon she was writhing beneath me, fisting her hands in my hair as she tried to direct me where she needed me most.

"Patience, baby," I murmured, nipping playfully at her hip bone. "I've got you."

And then I put my mouth on her, and the world fell away. There was only Natalie—her taste, her scent, the desperate sounds spilling from her lips as I licked and sucked and teased. Tongue delving deep, I lapped at her slick folds before flicking over her clit in teasing strokes.

"Fuck, Jas," she gasped, hips pushing against my mouth. "Don't stop, please don't stop..."

As if I could. As if anything could tear me away from the heaven between her legs. I doubled down, sucking on her swollen clit as I slid two fingers inside her tight pussy. She clenched around me instantly, drawing me deeper.

"That's it, baby," I mumbled against her skin. "Let go for me. Wanna feel you come on my tongue."

She let out a broken moan, head thrashing on the grass. I curled my fingers just right, stroking that secret spot, and her thighs started to quake.

"Jas, I'm gonna—oh God, I'm⁠—"

I sealed my lips around her clit and sucked hard. She shattered with a sharp cry, her body seizing up as she fluttered and clenched around my fingers. I worked her through it, licking and stroking until she was boneless and spent.

Slowly, I kissed my way back up her body, savoring the salt of her skin. She blinked up at me with glazed, sated eyes, and her kiss-swollen lips curled into a lazy smirk.

"Mmm, you're very good at that," she purred, dragging a finger down my chest. "I think you deserve a reward."

She flipped us over, straddling my hips. The move pressed my rigid cock against her hot, wet center.

"Natalie," I gritted out, fighting the urge to thrust up into her. "Baby, you don't have to⁠—"

"Shhh." She pressed a finger to my lips, eyes shining with mischief and desire. "I want to. I want to make you feel as good as you just made me feel."

With that, she scooted down my body, tormenting me with hot, open-mouthed kisses. I jerked as her teeth grazed my nipple and a strangled curse fell from my lips.

Natalie just smiled smugly, continuing her sensual descent. She nuzzled her face against my abs, tracing the ridges of muscle with her tongue as her hand cupped me through my underwear.

"Fuck, Nat," I groaned, lifting my hips desperate for more friction. I was painfully hard, straining against my boxer briefs. Natalie traced my length through the fabric with a fingertip, teasing me with feather-light strokes.

"You're so hard for me," she said, hooking her fingers in the waistband. "Let's get these off, shall we?"

She tugged my underwear down in one swift movement. My aching cock slapped against my stomach, flushed and leaking at the tip. Natalie's eyes darkened with lust as she wrapped her slim fingers around my shaft and gave it a slow pump.

"God, I've missed this." She swiped her thumb over the sensitive head. "Missed the taste of you."

And then her hot mouth enveloped my cock. I groaned as she swirled her tongue around the crown before sucking me deep. My eyes rolled back, and I buried my hands in her silky hair as her wet heat engulfed me.

"Jesus..." I gasped, fighting the instinct to thrust into her mouth. "Baby, your mouth... feels so fucking..."

The rest of the words died on my lips. I was in heaven as she bobbed up and down my dick, taking me deeper each time. Tightening my grip on her hair, I gently guided her movements as the pleasure built and built and built.

"Fuck, just like that," I groaned, hips rocking to meet her. She hollowed her cheeks, sucking hard, and a hoarse shout ripped from my throat. "Nat, baby, I'm getting close..."

She released me with a wet pop, grinning up at me as she stroked my slick length. "Not yet. I'm not done with you."

She flicked her tongue around the tip and lapped at the steadily leaking precum. I clenched my jaw, desperate to hold back the orgasm barreling down on me. But when she took me to the hilt and swallowed around my cock, it was too much.

"Gonna come." I grunted out a warning, tugging at her hair. But she just hummed in encouragement. The vibrations sent me right on over the edge.

I exploded. My vision whited out as ecstasy crashed through me in waves. She worked me through it, swallowing every drop as I pulsed in her mouth.

Gradually, I floated back down from the high, my body going limp against the grass. Natalie crawled up my body, a satisfied smile on her lips. I hauled her down for a deep, languid kiss, moaning at the taste of myself on her tongue.

We kissed for long minutes, slow and thorough, hands roaming over sweat-slicked skin. The urgency from before had mellowed into something tender and intimate. I rolled us to our sides, tangling our legs together and pulling her flush against me.

As Natalie sighed and melted into my embrace, I felt something slot back into place in my soul. A piece of myself I didn't even realize was missing until she walked back into my life and turned it upside down.

Natalie. My first love, my deepest heartbreak. The girl who shattered me and the only one who could put me back together.

She was here in my arms, warm and real and so damn perfect.

Chapter Twenty-One

NATALIE

Numbers blurred into an indecipherable mess as I stared at the screen. I had been poring over the orchard's financial records for hours, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. It just didn't add up.

To make matters worse, my mind kept drifting. It was still curled up with Jasper in the orchard under the stars. The taste of his lips, the way he looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.

It was everything I'd been missing, everything I'd been starving for.

But now, in the harsh light of day, doubt was creeping in. What if it had been just a moment of weakness, a temporary lapse in judgment brought on by grief and nostalgia? What if he woke up that morning and regretted it?

I closed my eyes and attempted to banish the insidious whispers. No, what had happened between us was real. The connection, that depth of feeling, you couldn't fake that.

We had something. Something worth taking a chance on. I just had to trust in us.

I dragged my focus back to the task at hand. These books weren't going to balance themselves, and I owed it to Dad—and to the Evertons—to get to the bottom of this.

As I dug deeper into the numbers, a horrible realization dawned on me. The discrepancies lined up perfectly with Dad's diagnosis. A picture slowly emerged. Small mistakes at first, easily overlooked. A transposed number here, a missed decimal there. But as the months went on and Dad's health declined, the errors became more frequent and more glaring.

My heart clenched as I imagined him hunched over those same spreadsheets, his once razor-sharp mind dulled by pain and medication. He was losing his grip, and no one noticed. No one stepped in to help carry the load.

I didn't step in.

Tears blurred my vision, but I swiped them away. I couldn't afford to fall apart. I had to be strong, had to fix this. For him, for Mom, for Jasper and his family.

By the time I'd combed through every line, every entry, I was certain. There was no foul play here. Just a brilliant man succumbing to the ravages of illness. And a family legacy suffering the consequences.

The Evertons were hemorrhaging money. And they likely had no idea. The losses were hidden in the tangle of Dad's declining work.

What could I do?

How could I break this to the Evertons? The orchard was their life. To find out it was in jeopardy, that they could lose everything...

I couldn't be the one to shatter their world, not when things were so fragile and new between Jasper and me. He'd be devastated. He might even blame me for not catching it sooner. For not being there when Dad started struggling.

My breath came short and sharp as panic clawed at my throat. Easy, Natalie. Think. You're a problem solver, a fixer. So fix it.

I examined the spreadsheet, my mind racing. It wouldn't be easy. It would take time, finesse, and more than a little luck. But it was doable. It had to be.

I wouldn't let Dad's reputation be tarnished. I wouldn't let the Evertons lose their birthright. I'd pour everything I had into righting this ship and keeping it afloat.

Even if it meant keeping Jasper in the dark for now and shouldering the burden alone. He had enough on his plate, helping run the orchard day-to-day. The last thing he needed to worry about was the threat of financial ruin.

I'd tell him eventually. When I had a plan. When I could present solutions instead of just problems. He'd understand.

I was doing this for him, for us. To protect what we were building, this fragile new beginning. I wouldn't jeopardize it. Not for anything.

Mind made up, I closed out the spreadsheets and gathered my things. I'd start fresh tomorrow, armed with purpose and a plan. Tonight I had a dinner to attend. A family to reconnect with, a man to stand beside.

And I'd do it with my head high and a smile on my face, even with this secret sitting heavy in my stomach. For him, for us... I could carry it. As long as it took.

I locked up the office and stepped out into the warm summer evening. The sun was dipping below the horizon and Main Street was quiet. The shops were closed and the sidewalks nearly empty.

But there, leaning against the lamppost on the corner, was a familiar figure. Tall and broad, dark hair tousled by the breeze, hands shoved in the pockets of his faded jeans.

Jasper straightened when he saw me, a slow smile spreading across his face. That smile. It still made my heart stutter and my breath catch. He pushed off the post and sauntered toward me with a loose, easy gait.

"Hey there, city girl," he drawled, his voice dripping with warm affection and sex. "Fancy meeting you here."

I grinned, the stress of the day magically melting away. "Well hey yourself, country boy. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

He reached out and snagged my hand, twining our fingers together. "What, I can't pick my girl up for dinner? Walk her over to my place, show her off to the family?"

My heart did a giddy little flip. His girl. He called me his girl. I ducked my head, feeling suddenly shy under the intensity of his gaze. "I suppose that's allowed. Very chivalrous of you."

"I'm a regular Prince Charming." He tugged me closer until our bodies were aligned, hips and chests brushing. "Though I don't recall Cinderella carrying a backpack. Kinda ruins the whole fairy tale vibe, don't you think?"

"Hey!" I protested with a laugh, swatting at his chest. "I'll have you know this backpack is very important. It carries all my hopes and dreams and... spreadsheets."

"Spreadsheets?" Jasper raised an amused eyebrow. "Sexy. Nothing gets me going like a good spreadsheet."

I groaned, tipping my forehead against his shoulder. "You're impossible. Why do I put up with you again?"

"Because I'm charming, ruggedly handsome, and fantastic in bed?" His tone was light, but there was an undercurrent of heat beneath the words. Memories of last night flashed through my mind. I pressed closer instinctively.

"Hmm, that must be it." I tilted my head back to meet his gaze. His eyes had gone molten, dark with promise. "Though I think I might need a refresher on that last one. You know, just to be sure."

He made a low, choked sound in the back of his throat, his hand tightening on mine. "Don't tempt me, woman. We'll never make it to dinner at this rate."

"And that would be a tragedy," I agreed solemnly, even as I rose up on my toes to kiss the underside of his jaw. "Imagine the scandal if we skipped out on family dinner to go fool around like a couple of horny teenagers."

"Oh they'd never let us live it down. We'd be the talk of the town for weeks."

"Months," I corrected, grinning up at him. "At least."

"Well then, we'd better get a move on." He kept our hands linked as he started down the sidewalk. "Can't keep the fam waiting."

We walked close together, shoulders brushing with every stride. It felt good to be with him like this. Easy in a way nothing else in my life had been for years.

I knew I should tell him about the orchard. He deserved to know the full extent of the financial mess they were in. But I couldn't put that weight on his shoulders. Not tonight.

I wanted to bask in this. In him, in us. In the simple joy of walking hand-in-hand, ready to face whatever came our way.

The rest could wait. Just a little longer.

Chapter Twenty-Two

JASPER

Weathered wood creaked beneath our feet as we strolled up the porch steps of my parents' house. Having Natalie there was strange and fucking perfect all at once. Strange because it had been years since she last crossed that threshold for family dinner, perfect because it felt like the most natural thing in the world. She belonged there beside me, fingers entwined with mine.

Always had.

She was my person when we were seventeen, and she was still my person.

There was nothing else to it.

I couldn't stop stealing sidelong glances at her. She was beautiful, all shapely curves and luminous skin, dark hair tumbling down her back in glossy waves. And the soft light of the golden hour made her face glow. But there was a pensive set to her mouth, a furrow between her brows that hadn't been there this morning when I kissed her awake in the grass.

Was it ill-advised to fall asleep half naked in the middle of the orchard? Sure was. Did I regret it? Not for a damn second.

Despite not having a bed or blankets or walls, it was the best rest I'd had in years. I could be absolutely anywhere on planet Earth with Natalie in my arms, and I'd be perfectly happy.

So why does she look so stressed?

"Hey." I tugged on her hand, pulling her to a stop before we reached the door. "You okay?"

She blinked up at me, hitching on an overly-bright smile. "Yeah, of course. Just a little nervous, I guess. It's been a while since I've attended an Everton family dinner. If I recall correctly, they can get a bit intense."

I rubbed my thumb over her knuckles, feeling the subtle tremor in her fingers. "They love you, Nat. Always have. And Mom's over the moon that you're joining us tonight. She's probably made enough food to feed an army."

Natalie's smile softened and her shoulders relaxed a fraction. "I've missed Emma's cooking. No one makes an apple pie quite like hers."

"That's because she puts all her love into it," a warm voice chimed in from behind us.

We turned to see my mom standing in the open doorway, her eyes suspiciously misty as she took in our joined hands. "Natalie, sweetheart. It's so good to see you."

And then she was pulling Nat into one of her patented Emma Everton hugs, the kind that engulfed you in cinnamon scented warmth and made everything feel okay, just for a moment.

Natalie immediately melted into the embrace and clung to Mom like a lifeline. Something in my chest clenched at the sight.

She'd been through so much lately. The least I could do was give her a few hours of normalcy, of family and laughter and my mom's famous apple pie.

"Alright, alright, stop hogging my girl." I said, nudging them gently apart. "I'm starting to feel neglected over here."

Mom swatted me on the arm. "Oh hush, you've had her all to yourself lately. It's my turn for some Natalie time."

I heaved an exaggerated sigh. Natalie laughed and looped her arm through Mom's. "Lead the way, Emma. I'm ready to be spoiled with your cooking and hear some embarrassing stories about Jasper that I missed while I was gone."

"Oh, honey, you've come to the right place," Mom said with a wicked smile. "Just last fall, he got his head stuck in the⁠—"

"Okay, that's enough!" I said. "Let's save the humiliating trip down memory lane for after dinner, yeah?"

Natalie just grinned at me over her shoulder as Mom ushered her into the house. I followed them inside, a stupid smile plastered to my face. It was an unusual expression for me these days. I hadn't felt this happy in years.

It felt amazing to have Nat there, to see her slipping back into her role as an extended member of this family. It was almost like she never left.

But when we sat down at the table and Chase entered the room, Natalie's eyes widened, and she turned toward me. His eye was still swollen and purple.

"He had it coming," I whispered, and her eyes glittered with appreciation.

The whole interaction reminded me that she had left and things were different now. But different didn't always mean bad.

Dinner was loud. Louder than usual. Marie was there too. I was half worried the old wood table might collapse under the weight of all of Mom's specialties—pot roast, cheesy potatoes, green beans casserole, grilled sweet corn on the cob, fluffy dinner rolls. And of course, the star of the show—a lattice-topped apple pie. It was still warm from the oven, the buttery crust sparkling with cinnamon-sugar.

"Emma, you've outdone yourself," Marie said, patting her mouth with a napkin. "I'm going to have to let out my dress after this feast!"

Mom waved off the compliment, but I saw the pleased flush on her cheeks. She loved nothing more than feeding the people she cared about. Having Natalie and Marie here tonight was the ultimate gift.

"Hear, hear," Dad chimed in, raising his bottle. "To Emma, the queen of the kitchen and the heart of this family."

We all lifted our glasses in a toast, the clink of glass mingling with the chorus of "To Emma!" that rang out around the table.

As the meal wound down and the conversation turned to reminiscing, I couldn't keep my eyes off Natalie. She was radiant in the candlelight, her cheeks pink from laughter and perhaps a bit too much of Dad's famous hard cider. Every so often, she'd catch my gaze and hold it, her lips curving into a secret smile that was just for me.

It felt like a beginning, like the start of something solid and real. The past was still there, lurking in the shadows. But for tonight, all that mattered was that she was there.

Of course, the spell couldn't last forever. We were just finishing up dessert when I noticed Chase watching Natalie with a little too much intensity. His eyes lingered on the graceful line of her neck as she tipped her head back and laughed at something Elliot said.

My hand tightened around my fork. I knew my brother, knew the way he was with women. The charm, the flirtation, the casual disregard for boundaries. It had never bothered me before—Chase was a grown man, and the women he pursued were more than capable of handling themselves.

But this was Natalie. My Natalie. And the reminder of him putting the moves on her set my teeth on edge and my blood to boiling.

I was about to put him right back in his place, when Natalie beat me to it. She turned to Chase with a sweet smile.

"Chase, honey, could you pass me the pie server? I'd love another slice."

He blinked, momentarily thrown by the endearment. But he recovered quickly, flashing her a roguish grin as he reached for the utensil. "Anything for you, Nat. You know I'm always happy to serve"—he wagged his eyebrows—"in any capacity."

I saw red, my fingers curling into fists on the tabletop. But before I could react, Natalie leaned in close, her voice pitched low but still perfectly audible.

"Oh, I know exactly what kind of service you're offering, Chase. But let me make one thing very clear." She plucked the pie server from his hand, her smile never wavering. "I'm not interested. Not now, not ever. So you can take your wandering eyes and shove them where the sun don't shine. We clear?"

Chase's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. I bit back a laugh, pride and admiration swelling inside me. My girl took no shit.

"I said, 'Are we clear?'" Natalie's voice hardened just a fraction.

"Crystal," Chase muttered, his cheeks flushing red. He pushed back from the table, mumbling some excuse about needing to return a call before beating a hasty retreat.

Silence descended on the table, broken only by the scrape of Natalie's fork against her plate as she took a dainty bite of pie. Then Elliot let out a low whistle. "Damn, Nat. That was badass."

Natalie shrugged. "Just setting some boundaries. Chase is a good guy, but he needs to learn to keep it in his pants."

Mom cleared her throat delicately. "Well said, dear. Now, who wants coffee with their pie?"

As the conversation resumed around us, Natalie caught my eye, her expression melting into something tender and intimate. She reached under the table to find my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

I squeezed back, my heart so full it felt like it might burst. That woman amazed me.

Humbled me.

Made me want to be a better man.

The kind of partner she deserved.

The kind who would chase after her while she chased her dreams.

Chapter Twenty-Three

JASPER

I grunted with exertion as I loaded the last cooler onto the boat. The ice sloshing inside promised cold drinks and good times ahead. It was a perfect mid-summer day—blue skies, a light breeze off the water, and that golden quality to the light that only comes this time of year.

Days like this, it was easy to forget all the bullshit. The stress of the orchard, the wounds of the past, the uncertainty of the future. Out here on the lake with the people I loved most, it all seemed insignificant.

"Jasper! Heads up!"

I turned just in time to catch the tube of sunscreen Elliot lobbed my way. I grinned and saluted him with it. "Thanks, bro. Can't have that fair Everton skin crisping up."

Elliot rolled his eyes and hopped down into the boat. "Spend some more time working outside and you'd already have a tan, pretty boy."

I flipped him off good-naturedly. My attention was already wandering to the vision in the red bikini top and frayed denim shorts climbing aboard. Natalie looked like a dream, all long legs and sun-kissed skin, her dark hair piled on top of her head.

She caught me staring and quirked an eyebrow. "See something you like?"

"Always," I said, pulling her into my arms. She rose up on her toes to brush a kiss across my mouth. It was chaste, sweet, but I felt it all the way to my dick. Every casual caress from her was a live-wire straight to my heart.

"Ugh, get a room!" Chase swaggered up to the boat, a case of beer tucked under one arm. "You're triggering my gag reflex."

Natalie pulled away with a laugh. "Jealousy is a disease, Chase. Get well soon."

Chase gasped, clutching his chest. "And here I thought we were besties."

"In your dreams." But she was grinning as she said it. If anyone could give him his shit right back, it was my girl. And I fucking loved that about her.

Despite the bullshit that went down at the bar, there was genuine affection beneath their snark. I could've held a grudge against my big brother, but why?

I got the girl, and he got a black eye.

Plus, he'd backed off substantially since she put him in his place at dinner a few weeks ago. Since then, things had been comfortable. Normal.

Natalie had always been one of us in all the ways that mattered. It felt more and more like she never left with each day that passed, each night she slept in my bed.

The weird part? We were really just sleeping. We hadn't actually slept together. And now that it was a thing, I didn't know how to take that step. So we kissed and touched and got each other off, but damn, I wanted to fuck her so bad.

It was killing me.

"Charlie!" Natalie squealed, interrupting my trip down want-to-bury-myself-inside-my-girl lane. She broke away from me, hopping out of the boat and sprinting down the dock. I followed her trajectory and saw my baby sister grinning ear to ear, her arms already outstretched for a hug.

"Nat! God, I missed you!" Charlie laughed as they collided and spun. "How dare you stay away so long!"

"I know, I know. I'm the worst." Natalie squeezed Charlie tight. "But I'm here now. And I'm not going anywhere."

She said it lightly, but her eyes found mine over Charlie's shoulder.

It was a promise.

One I intended to hold her to.

It didn't matter if she was in Sable Point or in Chicago. She'd always be a part of this family, part of me. And I wouldn't let her go again.

"Alright, alright, enough of the mushy stuff," Elliot called out, waving us all aboard. "Let's get this party started!"

Whoops and hollers filled the air as we piled into the boat, jostling for prime seating and first dibs on the snacks. I slid behind the wheel. The hum of the engine vibrated through my bones as I eased us away from the dock and out into the bay.

The wind whipped through my hair and the spray from the wake was a cool mist against my skin. Natalie settled beside me, her hand finding mine atop the console. I twined our fingers together, bringing her knuckles to my lips for a quick kiss.

She smiled, leaning her head against my shoulder as we watched the shoreline recede. Chase sprawled out on the bench seat, already cracking open a beer, while Elliot rigged up the tube and Charlie queued up the speakers.

We spent the next few hours cruising the lake, trading off between tubing and floating, drinking, laughing, and soaking up the sun. Natalie barely left my side. Her skin was warm and slightly tacky with sunscreen every time I pulled her close for a kiss.

Having her pressed up against me in a tiny bikini was a special kind of torture. All I could focus on was silky skin and tempting curves. I wanted her so bad it was almost painful.

But I held back, kept my touches light and teasing. Because as much as I craved her, as much as I ached to bury myself inside her and never come out, I wanted to do this right. When I finally had her again, I wanted to take it slow. I wanted it to be something more than just a physical release.

So I contented myself with stolen kisses and heated looks, with the press of her thigh against mine and the tickle of her hair on my shoulder. It was enough, for now. A promise of things to come and a future I was finally allowing myself to imagine.

"Alright, lovebirds, break it up!" Chase called from the other end of the boat, his words slightly slurred. "Some of us are trying to enjoy the view without you two playing tonsil hockey."

Elliot snorted, flicking a bottle cap at Chase's head. "Like you're one to talk, man-whore. I've seen you swap spit with half the girls in this town."

"Hey, I'm an equal opportunity lover!" Chase protested, dodging the projectile with a grin. "I don't discriminate."

From her perch on the edge of the boat, Charlie rolled her eyes. "We know, Chase. You're a regular Casanova."

"Don't hate the player, sis. Hate the game."

"Ignore him," I said to Natalie, nuzzling into her hair. "He's just jealous he can't land a girl half as amazing as you."

She hummed, tilting her head back to look at me. "Oh, I'm not worried. I know I'm a catch."

"Damn straight, baby. And you're all mine."

Heat and hunger flashed in her eyes, sending my blood rushing south. Until a spray of water hit us square in the face, followed by Chase's raucous laughter.

"Oops! My bad!" He lowered his super-soaker and gave us an evil grin. "Just trying to cool you two off."

Natalie sputtered, wiping the water from her eyes and glaring at my brother. "Oh, it's on now. You just started a war."

She lunged for the other water gun, and then it was all-out chaos. Shrieks and battle cries filled the air as we chased each other around the small boat, ducking to hide behind seats, getting in cheap shots and drenching each other with cool lake water. Even Elliot and Charlie joined in, their laughter mingling with the thump of the music and the roar of the engine.

By the time we called a ceasefire, we were all soaked to the bone and breathless with exertion. Natalie collapsed against my chest. Her skin felt cool and slippery as I wrapped my arms around her from behind.

"Truce?" I murmured, pressing a kiss behind her ear.

"Truce," she agreed, melting back against me. "For now."

I chuckled, giving her ass a little squeeze. "I'll take it."

We lapsed into comfortable silence, watching the sun start its slow descent, bathing the lake in shades of gold and orange.

In the distance, I could make out the shape of the orchard, the neat rows of trees and the weathered red barn. My family's legacy, the land that had shaped and sheltered us for generations.

For so long, that orchard was my entire world. My past, my present, my future, all tangled up in the roots and branches of those trees. I thought I knew exactly who I was, exactly what I wanted.

But then Natalie blew back into my life like a summer storm, and suddenly everything was up in the air. She made me question things. My world had gotten very small after she left. Now I saw infinite possibilities stretching out before me.

Something beyond duty and tradition and following in my father's footsteps. More than just surviving. She made me want to live, really live. To chase my dreams, no matter where they led.

This woman, this love, was everything. And I'd fight like hell to keep her.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Natalie asked, turning in my arms to loop her hands around my neck.

I smiled down at her, brushing a damp strand of hair off her forehead. "Just thinking about how lucky I am. How grateful I am to have you back in my life."

"I'm the lucky one, Jas. I never thought I'd get a second chance with you. Never thought I'd deserve it."

"Hey." I tipped her chin up with a finger, holding her gaze. "None of that, okay? We're here now, and that's all that matters."

Her eyes shone with emotion and she brushed her lips against mine. It was a sweet kiss, soft and full of promise.

I let myself sink into it, into her, my hands sliding down to grip her hips and pull her flush against me. She made a soft sound in the back of her throat as she opened for me, deepening the kiss until I was drowning in her taste, her scent, her everything.

A low wolf whistle pierced the haze of desire, followed by Chase's slurred catcall. Natalie and I broke apart with a laugh, our foreheads pressed together as we caught our breath. I flipped Chase off over Natalie's shoulder, not bothering to look at him.

"Fuck off, Chase. We're having a moment here."

"Yeah, a moment of public indecency," he grumbled. "Seriously, bro, keep it in your pants. There are children present."

Charlie snorted. "I'm twenty-one, dumbass. Pretty sure I can handle a little PDA."

"Still my baby sister," Chase insisted, pointing a wobbly finger at her. "Gotta protect your innocence and shit."

Elliot rolled his eyes, snagging the half-empty beer from Chase's hand. "I think you've had enough, man. Why don't we head back to shore before you start puking over the side?"

Chase grumbled but didn't protest, slumping back against the bench seat with a heavy sigh. I frowned and exchanged a look with Elliot.

We'd both noticed the uptick in Chase's drinking lately, the way he seemed to reach for a bottle every time things got too real, too heavy. Not to mention the shady shit he was getting into at Andy's party. It was scaring the hell out of me.

I understood. Numbing the pain with whiskey felt like a great idea in the moment. I'd been there, in those first few months after Natalie left. When the hurt was so all-consuming that I would've done anything to make it stop.

But I also knew that wasn't the answer. Running from your problems only gave them more power over you.

Chase was my brother, one of the most important people in my life. And I'd be damned if I let him self-destruct like that.

"We'll talk to him," I muttered to Elliot as I slid behind the wheel, easing us away from our little cove and pointing the bow toward home. "At least get him to admit he needs help."

Elliot nodded, clapping me on the shoulder. "Damn right we will. We're Evertons. We take care of our own."

The words were a soothing balm to the worry knotting in my gut. He was right. We were family, and that meant something. It meant we showed up, even when it was hard. Especially when it was hard.

The sun was just kissing the horizon as we pulled up to the dock. Natalie tucked herself into my side as I cut the engine, her head on my shoulder and her hand on my heart.

"Thank you for today," she said. "For making me feel like I still belong here."

I cupped her cheek in my palm, my thumb stroking over the satin of her skin. "You do, Nat. You always have. I'm going to make sure you never doubt that again."

She smiled and kissed my palm. "I'll hold you to that, Jasper Everton."

"You better. Now what do you say we round up the crew and head back to the house? I'm pretty sure Mom's got a peach cobbler waiting with our names on it."

"Lead the way, country boy. I'm ready to follow you anywhere."

As we gathered our things and herded everyone off the boat, as Charlie chattered excitedly about her upcoming semester and Chase slumped on Elliot's shoulder, as the crickets sang in the grass and the stars began to peek out overhead, I believed her.

I believed in second chances and fresh starts.

Rebuilt trust.

Renewed love.

Reclaimed roots.

Chapter Twenty-Four

NATALIE

Jasper's lips ignited a fire under my skin as he kissed my neck, his stubble scraping deliciously against my sensitive skin. My hands flew to the back of his head and I pulled him closer, urging him on. There'd be time later for gentle and sweet. At that moment, I wanted hot, hard, and dirty. I wanted him to devour me.

We ground against each other, the rough denim of his jeans created the most exquisite friction against my aching core. We were on the couch in his apartment, and I was lying on top of him. My thin cotton dress had ridden up, bunching around my waist. My legs straddled his hips as his calloused hands explored the smooth planes of my thighs, inching ever closer to where I was throbbing for his touch.

"God, Nat," he groaned, his voice a husky rumble that I felt all the way to my toes. "You drive me fucking crazy."

I captured his mouth in a demanding kiss, my tongue delving past his lips. He tasted like whiskey and desire, an intoxicating combination that left me dizzy with want. My fingers threaded through his thick hair, tugging gently as I rolled my hips. I could feel the rigid length of his cock straining against his zipper. Electric sparks of pleasure shot straight to my clit with every thrust.

Jasper slipped a hand between our writhing bodies, his fingers teasing the damp lace edge of my panties. I gasped into his mouth, breaking the kiss to meet his heated gaze. His pupils were blown wide with lust; the love and raw hunger swirling in those amber depths nearly overwhelmed me.

How had I ever thought I could live without this?

A flicker of guilt threatened to pierce the haze of bliss, but I shoved it aside. Now was not the time.

I slid my hand down his chest, savoring the feel of solid muscle flexing beneath his t-shirt. When I reached the waistband of his jeans, I hesitated. A flash of uncharacteristic shyness overtook me.

We'd been dancing around actually having sex for weeks, and while I wanted to—so much it felt like I might combust—it felt wrong. Because I still hadn't told him about the orchard's financial issues. Because I was a fucking coward.

Jasper must have sensed my uncertainty. He cupped my face, the rough pad of his thumb tracing the arch of my cheekbone as he pressed a soft kiss to my lips. "We don't have to do anything you're not ready for, Nat."

The tenderness in his voice clenched around my heart like a fist. I ground down against him in response, relishing his sharp hiss. His hips bucked instinctively, his jean-clad cock hitting me right where I needed him most. Even through the layers of denim and cotton separating our bodies, I could feel how badly he wanted me.

His strong hands held my hips in a bruising grip, guiding my increasingly erratic movements as I shamelessly rode him through our clothes. The seam of my lace panties rubbed against my swollen clit, my arousal soaking through the thin fabric to dampen his jeans.

"Fuck, Natalie," Jasper panted, his fingers digging into my ass. "You're so beautiful. So fucking sexy."

I whimpered brokenly, too far gone for words. My clit throbbed almost painfully, my inner walls fluttering around nothing as I chased my rapidly building release. The coil of white-hot tension in my pelvis wound tighter and tighter, my orgasm just out of reach. I needed... I needed...

Jasper knew my body like no one else. One of his hands slid up my sweat-slicked skin to cup my breast. My mouth fell open as his work-roughened palm scraped against my pebbled nipple. His fingers closed around the aching peak, tugging and rolling the sensitive flesh until I was writhing mindlessly against him.

So glad I'm not wearing a bra.

That added stimulation was all it took to send me flying over the edge. My spine bent like a bow as I threw my head back and cried out. I shook apart in Jasper's arms, tingling pleasure crashing over me in waves.

"That's it, baby," he crooned, grinding his diamond-hard cock against my still quivering sex. "Fuck, you're so perfect, so gorgeous when you come for me. I can feel you, feel how wet you are... shit, Nat..."

His filthy words only prolonged the intensity of my climax, and aftershocks shot down my spine to my curling toes. Jasper was still rocking against me, the movements of his hips growing jerky and frantic. I knew he was close, I felt it in the tension thrumming through his strong body, the way his fingers flexed convulsively against my skin.

I rocked my hips, undulating against the thick ridge of his erection. The orgasm had left me boneless and languid, but I wanted to feel him lose control, wanted to watch his face as he came apart for me.

"Let go for me, Jas," I urged, my lips brushing the shell of his ear. "I want to feel you come, want to feel you lose it in your jeans like a horny teenager."

His head tipped back against the couch, corded tendons standing out sharply on his neck. A guttural moan ripped from his chest as he thrust against me one last time then stilled.

I could feel the heat of his release even through the thick fabric of his jeans. I watched spellbound as a damp spot spread over his fly. Something about knowing I could affect him this way was incredibly erotic.

His arms locked around me, and he shuddered through the aftershocks, face buried in the crook of my neck as he fought to catch his breath. I stroked his damp hair soothingly, pressing tender kisses to his stubbled jaw, his temple, any part of him I could reach.

We clung to each other as we slowly drifted back down to earth, our frantic heartbeats slowing, breaths evening out. My limbs felt heavy and sated, my body humming with contentment.

As the post-orgasmic haze started to clear, reality seeped back in around the edges. I burrowed closer to Jasper, tucking my face into the warm curve where his neck met his shoulder. I wanted to stay cocooned in his arms for a little longer and pretend the outside world didn't exist.

"What are we doing, Nat?" Jasper whispered against my hair.

God, what am I doing? How could I continue keeping secrets from him? I was also avoiding the conversation I knew we needed to have about my life back in the city?

I didn't know what this all meant for us. It felt so good, and I didn't want it to end. But my vacation time had almost run out, and I had a job to return to.

Before I could spiral too far, Jasper's phone rang. He groaned, reaching for it with obvious reluctance.

"It's Elliot," he said, frowning at the screen. "I should probably take this."

I nodded, shifting off his lap so he could answer. As Jasper talked to his brother, I smoothed down my dress and tried to tame my tousled hair. The call was brief, but I could tell from Jasper's tense posture that something was wrong.

"What is it?" I asked as soon as he hung up.

Jasper ran a hand through his hair. "Chase," he said tightly. "He was arrested for indecent exposure."

"What? How?"

"Apparently he got drunk and decided to go skinny dipping in the town fountain." Jasper shook his head. "This isn't like him, Nat. I mean, Chase has always been wild, but lately... I'm really worried about him."

I reached out and took his hand. "Do you need to go bail him out?"

"Yeah, Elliot's already on his way to the station. I should meet him there." He hesitated, looking at me apologetically. "I'm sorry to cut our night short. Turn in for the night if you get tired before I get back, yeah?"

"I will. And don't apologize. Your family needs you. Go."

As Jasper got ready to leave, which mostly involved changing his underwear and pants, I watched him in silence, my secret threatening to suffocate me. The fact that Chase seemed to be disappearing down some self-destructive spiral only reinforced my resolve to come clean about the orchard's finances. I couldn't keep this quiet any longer, not when it could impact the entire family.

Tomorrow, I thought to myself as Jasper gave me a quick goodbye kiss. I'll tell him everything tomorrow.

Chapter Twenty-Five

JASPER

I followed Elliot into the Sable Point PD. The stench of stale coffee and industrial cleaner enveloped me as we stepped through the door. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting a harsh glow on the dated wood-paneled walls. A few officers milled about. Their hushed conversations and the muted ringing of phones created a low hum of activity.

"Hey, Andy. Thanks for calling," Elliot said, his voice echoing slightly in the cramped entryway.

Andy stood a little straighter, smoothing his immaculately pressed uniform. "That's Officer Clark to you."

Elliot rolled his eyes. "Okay, Officer Dipshit."

Andy's stern facade cracked, and he let out a hearty laugh that bounced off the dingy walls. "I'm just glad it was me who found him. Chief has had it up to here with his shit."

Chase slumped in a chair, his back to us like a sulking child.

"Everton!" Andy barked.

Chase swiveled around, his eyes meeting ours with a mixture of guilt and defiance. I bit the inside of my cheek and forced down my rising frustration.

"Let's go!" Andy snapped, clearly at the end of his patience.

Suddenly, the department door swung open with a bang, and I winced as our father strode in, his face a thundercloud of anger. Chase, now looking sincerely chastised, shuffled towards the exit with his head bowed.

Dad's voice was low and controlled, but I could hear the undercurrent of fury. "Chase. Truck. Now."

"Yes, sir," Chase mumbled, slinking past us like a dog with its tail between its legs.

As he left, Dad turned to Andy, the hard edge gone from his voice. "Thank you, Andrew. We'll be sure to make a generous donation to the Sable Point PD for your assistance today."

Andy waved him off, his expression a mix of exasperation and concern. "Don't worry about it, Mr. E. Just... get him in line, will ya? I'd hate to actually have to lock him up next time."

Dad shared a worried look with Elliot. I was pretty sure I was wearing a matching expression. This wasn't the first time Chase had pushed the limits, and I had a feeling it wouldn't be the last.

This can't be right.

I blinked hard and rubbed at my eyes.

Fuck, I'm tired.

The events of last night replayed in my mind—Chase's slurred voice, the fluorescent glare of the police station, the disappointment on Mom's face.

Focus, dammit. Dad had asked me to find some money to donate to the police department, so I forced my attention back to the computer screen, squinting at the neat rows of figures. Something was off. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but a nagging sense of wrongness tugged at the edges of my mind.

I got up and cracked open a window. The refreshing scent of apple blossoms drifted in, chasing away the fug of coffee and desperation that permeated the barn. Outside, I could hear the distant rumble of tractors, the steady rhythm of life on the orchard continuing despite the chaos swirling in my head.

Sighing, I returned to the desk and slumped back into my chair, the ancient leather creaking in protest. I pulled out more records, spreading them across the scarred surface of the desk. Ed's voice echoed in my memory: "The devil's in the details, son." I traced my finger along the screen.

There. A series of small inconsistencies, barely noticeable on their own, but when added together...

A dull, heavy feeling hit my stomach, like a rock plopping into a lake. Blind panic seized me as I stared at the spreadsheet, willing the numbers to rearrange themselves. There has to be an explanation.

I reached for my phone and scrolled through my contacts. My fingers hovered over Natalie's name. Should I involve her in this mess? The memory of her bright, carefree smile over the last few weeks surfaced in my mind. I hated to bring her down, but she was the only one who could help. I needed her.

JASPER

Hey, Nat. You at the office? Need to run something by you.

I set the phone down and wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans. The silence stretched, broken only by the gentle ticking of the ancient clock on the wall. Each second felt like an eternity as I waited for her response.

What if she's with another client? What if she's too busy? What if⁠—

The buzz of the phone startled me from my panicked reverie. I snatched it up, my heart pounding as I read her reply.

NATALIE

Just got in. What's up?

JASPER

It'll take a while to explain. Can I come by?

NATALIE

Sure. There's something I want to talk to you about too.

A minute later, the truck roared to life as I turned the key. My mind raced as I pulled out onto the dusty road. What am I going to say to her? How do I even begin to explain this mess?

I parked on the street outside Choi Accounting. Taking a deep breath, I released my death-grip on the steering wheel and climbed out of the truck. I made my way to the office door, squinting against the morning sun.

The bell chimed as I stepped inside, and the cool air-conditioning chased away the summer heat. Whenever I came here, I was transported back in time to countless afternoons spent sprawled on the floor of this very office, doing homework while Ed worked. Even after Nat left, I'd often stopped by on my way from the apartment to the orchard, just to say 'hi.' Fuck, I miss him.

Natalie looked up from her desk, a bright smile spreading across her face. "Jasper! I wasn't expecting you so..." Her words trailed off and her smile faded as she took in my expression.

"Hey, Nat," I managed, my voice sounding thin and strained. "Thanks for seeing me on such short notice."

She stood, smoothing down her skirt—a nervous gesture I recognized all too well. "Of course. What's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Might have been easier if I had." I clasped my hands behind my neck and stared at the ceiling, trying to find the right words. "It's... it's about the orchard. The books. Something's not adding up."

Natalie's face paled, her eyes widening almost imperceptibly. If I hadn't known her so well, I might have missed it. That look confirmed the sinking feeling in my gut.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice carefully neutral.

I pulled out the folder I'd brought with me, spreading its contents across her desk. "Look," I said, pointing to the columns of figures on the printout. "These numbers here, and here. They're off. Not by much, but when you add it all up..."

Natalie leaned over the desk, her brow furrowed as she studied the papers. I caught a whiff of her perfume—the same one she'd worn since high school. My favorite smell in the whole world.

With some effort, I forced my attention back to the matter at hand.

"I-I don't..." Natalie stammered, her fingers tracing the lines of numbers. She looked up at me, her eyes wide and conflicted. "Jasper, I⁠—"

"You know, don't you?" The words came out with unexpected force. The toxic stew of fear and betrayal that had been seeping into me since I first noticed the discrepancies stoked my anger.

Natalie flinched. She took a step back, knotting her fingers together. "I was going to tell you. I swear, I was just trying to figure out how to⁠—"

"How long?" I interrupted, my voice trembling. "How long have you known about this, Nat?"

She closed her eyes and a pained expression crossed her face. When she opened them again, they were filled with unshed tears. "A few weeks," she admitted. "I noticed some irregularities when I was first going through things, but I wanted to be sure before I said anything."

The room tilted around me. The floor suddenly felt unsteady beneath my feet. A few weeks. She'd known for weeks and didn't say anything. The betrayal cut deep, reopening old wounds that had just begun to heal.

"Why didn't you come to me?" I asked, hating how vulnerable I sounded. "We could have figured this out together."

"I was scared. I didn't want to believe it was true. And I didn't want to be the one to tell you that⁠—"

"That what?" I snapped. "That my family's legacy—our livelihood—is going down the fucking drain? That everything we've worked for is falling apart?" My voice rose with each word, filling the small office.

Natalie stepped toward me, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Jasper, please. I was trying to protect you."

"Protect me? By keeping me in the dark? By lying to my face every time we talked about the orchard?"

"I wasn't lying," she protested, a hint of defiance creeping into her voice. "I just... needed time to figure out a plan. I thought I could fix this without worrying your family."

"Fix it? Natalie, this isn't some spreadsheet error you can correct with the click of a mouse. This is our lives. Our future."

"Don't you think I know that? I've been working day and night trying to come up with a solution."

"A solution you didn't think to share with me. What happened to 'we're in this together?' Or was that just another lie?"

Her eyes flashed with anger. "That's not fair, Jasper. I was trying to help. I didn't want to burden you with this until I had a solid plan."

"Burden me? I'm not some fragile child you needed to coddle, Nat. I'm your partner. Or at least, I thought I was."

My words were followed by a ringing silence. We both knew I had just turned the conversation down a bumpy road we couldn't back out of. Natalie's face crumpled, and for a moment, I wanted to take her in my arms and make this all go away. But the seething anger in my gut wouldn't let me.

"But here you go, making decisions for the both of us again," I said, my voice hard and relentless. "You know best, right? Doesn't matter what the rest of us think or want or feel."

"So that's what this was really about then?" Natalie shot back, her own temper finally snapping. "You haven't forgiven me. I was eighteen, Jasper! I made a mistake!"

"A mistake? Losing your car keys is a mistake. Forgetting to pay your utility bill is a mistake. You packed your bags and left town."

"And you let me go!" Natalie's voice rose to a new pitch. I vaguely registered the muted click of the door closing as Jeanette made a tactful retreat. "You didn't fight for me, Jasper. You didn't even try."

"Because I thought that's what you wanted!" I shouted, raising my voice to meet hers. "I thought you wanted freedom, and I loved you enough to let you go."

"I didn't want freedom," she cried, face wet with tears. "I wanted you to choose me. To put me first, just once."

I turned away, unable to look at her. For the first time in my life, I was literally shaking with anger.

"I thought we were past keeping secrets," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The fight drained out of me, leaving me numb and bone-tired.

I felt Natalie hovering behind me, the warmth of her body so close yet impossibly far. She was reaching out, not quite touching my arm. I sensed her hesitation, her fear of pushing me away further.

"Jasper," she said softly, her voice thick with tears. "I'm sorry. I-I wanted to make things right. To prove that I could do my dad proud. That I could be the person you needed me to be."

I flinched away from her touch, the gentleness in her voice somehow more painful than her anger. "And who exactly do you think I need you to be, Nat?" I asked, still not turning to face her.

I could hear her shaky breaths, could almost feel the rapid beating of her heart. Or maybe that was just my own pulse pounding in my ears.

"I don't know," she finally admitted. "I guess I thought if I could fix this, if I could save the orchard, maybe..."

"Maybe what?" I prompted, finally turning to look at her. The sight of her tear-stained face nearly broke me.

"Maybe you'd forgive me. For leaving. For hurting you. For all of it."

I closed my eyes and pressed my hands to my face. God, when did everything get so complicated?

"Natalie," I started, then paused, struggling to find the right words. "This isn't about forgiveness. It's about trust."

She nodded, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "I know. And I've ruined that. Again."

Chapter Twenty-Six

NATALIE

The door slammed shut behind Jasper. The sound echoed through the empty office like a gunshot. My hands shook as I reached for the framed photo of Dad on my desk. My vision was cloudy with tears, distorting his kind smile into a watery smear.

I'm sorry, Dad. I've let you down. I've let everyone down.

Each sobbing breath was a struggle. The truth I'd hidden from Jasper now hung between us like a toxic cloud, poisoning everything we were starting to rebuild. The betrayal in his eyes replayed in my mind on an endless, gut-wrenching loop.

I couldn't stay there. Not in that office, surrounded by the ghosts of my father's expectations and the ruins of my relationship with Jasper. My hands moved on autopilot, shoving papers and personal items into my bag. The picture of Dad went in last, wrapped in a sweater for protection.

I paused in the doorway on my way out, tracing my fingers over the gleaming brass nameplate. "Edward Choi, CPA." How many times had I watched him unlock that door, bursting with pride at the important work he did for our community?

But I was clearly not cut out for it.

Outside, a few locals nodded in greeting as they passed, but I kept my head down, afraid they'd see my failure written over my face.

Finally, I arrived back at Mom's house. A shameful part of me felt relieved when I saw her car was gone from the driveway. I slid into my own car, tossing my bag onto the passenger seat. My hands felt numb and clumsy as I pulled out my phone. What could I possibly say to Jasper that would make this right? How could I apologize for keeping such a massive secret?

After several false starts, I typed out a simple message.

NATALIE

You deserved to know the truth from the beginning. I never meant to cause you more pain.

I hit send then immediately regretted it. The words felt hollow in the face of the harm I'd caused. But it was done now, another mistake to add to the growing pile.

I scrolled to Mom's contact photo. Her warm smile was a sharp contrast to the turmoil churning inside me. As I pressed the call button, a new wave of guilt descended on me. How could I explain this to her?

The phone rang once, twice, three times. With each unanswered ring, my anxiety ratcheted up another notch. What if she's disappointed in me too? What if⁠—

When the call went to voicemail, I breathed another sigh of relief. It would be easier that way.

"Hi, this is Marie. I can't make it to the phone right now, but if you leave a message, I'll get back to you as soon as I can." Beeeeeeep.

I took a deep breath and willed the sadness out of my voice.

"Hey Mom. I, um... Something's come up, and I have to head back to the city. I have my computer with me, so I can keep up with Dad's work, but we really need to start looking for a buyer. If you need anything, call me. I love you."

And then I drove out of Sable Point.

Again.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

JASPER

"Hi, Jasper, honey!"

Marie's warm hug caught me off guard. It was more than I deserved after the shit I'd pulled with Natalie. Her kindness made me want to crawl out of my skin.

"Hey, Marie. Is Nat home? I, uh, need to talk to her."

"Oh. She didn't tell you?"

My stomach plummeted and cold dread seeped into my bones. "Tell me what?"

"She went back to the city. Said something came up, but I haven't had a chance to speak with her yet."

You've got to be fucking kidding me.

"She left?" A loud rushing filled my ears. Disbelief warred with a sickening sense of déjà vu.

"Just for a few days, I'm sure."

I laughed harshly. "You sure about that? Seems to me like she's runnin' again."

"What do you mean?"

"We... had a fight." The admission felt like ripping off a scab, exposing the raw flesh beneath.

"Oh dear. Why don't you come in, Jasper. Let's talk."

Marie ushered me inside, the familiar scent of her lavender hand lotion mingling with freshly baked bread. It was comforting and suffocating all at once. I sank into the worn leather recliner, the one Ed had always claimed as his throne during football games.

"So, what happened?" Marie's voice was gentle, but I could hear the worry underneath.

I scrubbed a hand over my face, buying time. How the hell do I explain this mess?

"She... she knew about the orchard's financial problems. Has known for weeks. And she didn't tell me."

Marie's eyes widened, a flicker of something—guilt?—crossing her face.

"Oh, Jasper..."

"You knew too, didn't you?"

She nodded, her shoulders sagging. "She told me. She was trying to protect you all. She thought she could fix it."

"Yeah, well, lot of good that did. Now we're in deep shit, and she's run off again."

"She's not running, Jasper. She just needs time to⁠—"

"To what? Come up with more excuses?" The bitterness in my voice surprised even me. "Face it, Marie. This is what she does. When things get tough, she bails."

She sat up straighter. "That's not fair, and you know it. Natalie's been through a lot."

"And I haven't?" I realized I was shouting and took a calming breath. "Sorry. It's just that I thought we were past all this. That we were finally on the same page."

Marie patted my knee. "Love isn't always easy, dear. Sometimes it takes work."

"How can we work on anything if she never sticks around?"

We lapsed into silence, the ticking of the old grandfather clock in the hallway seeming unnaturally loud.

"Have you tried calling her?" Marie asked.

"Went straight to voicemail."

"Give her some time, Jasper. She'll come around."

But what if she doesn't?

"I should go," I muttered, pushing myself to my feet. "Got work to do."

"Hang on a second. I have something for you."

Marie stood, hurrying out of the room. When she returned a few moments later, she was holding a sealed envelope.

My name was scrawled across the front in Edward's familiar handwriting. I took it and smoothed my thumb over the letters.

"What's this?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

"It's a letter Ed left for you. He asked me to give it to you when the time was right."

My chest constricted. Why now? Why didn't he tell me himself?

"Did you read it?"

Marie shook her head. "No, honey. Whatever's in that envelope, that's between you and him."

I broke the seal with fumbling fingers and pulled out a single sheet of paper. Edward's handwriting, once so crisp and precise, wavered across the page:

Dear Jasper,

If you're reading this, my time has come, and I'm gone.

It pains me as I write this to know that I am leaving behind my little girl and the love of my life. But I feel a sense of peace knowing they have you.

You have always been like a son to me.

But that's not why I'm writing. I have something more important to tell you. Something I should have said years ago.

Get her back, Jasper.

I know you and Natalie have a complicated history. I know she hurt you when she left. But I also know how much you two love each other. It's been written all over both your faces for years, even separated by hundreds of miles.

Don't let pride or fear keep you apart. Life's too damn short for that nonsense. Trust me, I know.

Natalie's stubborn as hell (wonder where she gets that from), but she's got a good heart. She's scared, Jasper. Scared of getting hurt again, scared of hurting you. But sometimes love means taking that risk.

I'm not saying it'll be easy. Nothing worth having ever is. But I've watched you two dance around each other for years, and it's time to stop the music and just hold each other close.

You're a good man, Jasper Everton. You deserve happiness. You both do.

So go get her, son. And take good care of each other.

Love,

Edward

I blinked hard, trying to clear the sudden blurriness from my eyes. Dammit, Edward. Even from the grave, you're meddling.

As I folded the letter, something fluttered to the floor. Another envelope, smaller this time, with Natalie's name written on it.

"There's one for Nat too," I said, showing it to Marie.

She looked at the envelope, a sad smile playing on her lips. "My Edward always did like to have the last word."

I tucked both letters into my jacket pocket. "I need to think."

Marie stretched up and pecked me on the cheek. "Take your time, honey. But don't take too long. Some things are worth fighting for."

The cool evening air hit my face as I stepped out onto the porch, clearing some of the fog from my head.

Get her back. But how? After everything that'd happened, was it even possible?

I pulled out my phone and navigated to Natalie's name. What would I even say? Hey, your dead dad told me to chase after you. Wanna grab coffee?

When I got home, I headed straight to the barn. I wanted to make sure I had a clear understanding of this financial shitstorm before I attempted to break it to Dad. I yanked the door open with more force than necessary and stormed inside, breathing like an angry bull. Chase emerged from the shadows, eyebrows raised.

"Woah, who pissed in your Cheerios?"

I shot him a withering glare. "Not now, Chase."

But my brother, never one to take a hint, fell into step beside me. "Trouble in paradise already? I thought you and Nat were⁠—"

"I said not now!" I rounded on him, fists clenched at my sides.

Chase took a step back, hands raised. "Jesus, Jas. What the hell happened?"

My anger deflated as quickly as it had appeared. For once, this mess wasn't Chase's fault. I closed my eyes and pressed the heel of my hand to my forehead. "She left. Went back to the city.

"Shit." Chase was momentarily lost for words. It was so unlike him it made me look up. His face was uncharacteristically serious. "That's... that sucks."

"Yeah, no kidding. Won't answer my calls, either." The rage that had been boiling beneath the surface since that morning finally erupted. "Fuck!"

With a roar, I spun and drove my fist straight through the weathered barn wall. Pain exploded across my knuckles as splinters of wood embedded themselves in my skin.

"What the fuck?!" Elliot's voice sliced through the red haze of my anger. I turned to see him rushing towards me, his eyes wide with shock.

"Jasper, what the hell?" He grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the barn. "Talk to me, man."

Words spilled out of me in a jumbled rush. "Everything's falling apart! Natalie's gone, she fucking left again. And the orchard—" I choked on a hysterical laugh. "We're going under. We're nearly bankrupt, and I didn't even fucking know!"

Chase's face went pale. "Wait, what? Bankrupt? What are you talking about?"

I ran my uninjured hand through my hair, pacing like a caged animal. "Natalie kept it from us. She claimed she'd been trying to fix it, but now... now she's gone, and we're drowning. She knew and didn't tell me, and now she's run off to the city again."

Elliot's jaw tightened, his eyes hardening. "Okay, let's take this one thing at a time. First, we need to look at the books, see how bad it really is."

"It's bad, El. Trust me."

Chase shook his head, muttering under his breath. "This can't be happening. We can't lose the orchard. It's... it's everything."

"You think I don't know that? This is our home, and it's slipping through our fingers!"

Elliot stepped between us with his hands raised. "Hey, hey! Calm down, both of you. This isn't helping."

But now the floodgates were open, I couldn't stop. "And Natalie... God, I thought—" I swallowed convulsively, a sharp ache rising up to constrict my throat. "I really thought she was staying this time."

"Jas," Elliot's voice was low and soothing, "I'm sure there's an explanation. Natalie wouldn't just⁠—"

"Wouldn't she? Apparently, it's what she does. When things get tough, she runs. Every. Damn. Time."

Chase ran a hand over his face. His usual bravado was nowhere to be seen. "Fuck. Fuck! What are we gonna do about the orchard? We can't lose it."

I leaned against the barn wall, feeling utterly drained. "I don't know."

Elliot inhaled steadily. "Okay, here's what we're going to do. First, we're going to clean up your hand before it gets infected. Then, we're going to sit down and talk to Mom and Dad. They need to know what's going on."

I nodded, numbly. "Yeah, okay."

As Elliot led me towards the house, Chase trailing behind us like a lost puppy, I thought of Edward's letter, tucked away in my jacket pocket. Get her back.

But how could I fight for us when she wouldn't even pick up the damn phone?

The porch steps creaked under our feet. The sound reinforced this newfound sense of fragility. Like the foundations of my world were buckling beneath me. The orchard had always felt so solid and permanent. It was hard to process that we might lose it all. But if Natalie could blow back into my life one day and be gone again the next, why not the orchard too? And the fact that she kept this from me...

The thought of Natalie gnawed at me like a persistent ache that wouldn't let go. My mind kept tormenting me with the same unanswerable questions. What if it's too late? What if I've lost her for good this time? And how can I ever trust her again if she does come back?

"What the hell happened to your hand?!" Mom grabbed my wrist, inspecting my knuckles.

"Genius here punched a wall," Chase offered. Elliot shot him a warning look.

"That was dumb." Dad rounded the corner from the hallway and pushed his reading glasses up onto his head. "Did the wall deserve it, at least?"

"Oh, shut up, Jay, and go get the first-aid kit," Mom said.

"Yes, ma'am."

While Mom ushered me toward the kitchen island, Elliot grabbed a plastic sandwich bag and filled it with ice. "Here, put this on it. It'll help with the swelling."

Chase leaned against the counter, chewing on his thumbnail. "You know, Jas, there are better ways to deal with anger. Like, I don't know, talking about it?"

"Rich coming from you," Elliot muttered.

"Hey, I'm trying here."

When Dad returned to the kitchen with the first-aid kit, Elliot took a deep breath. "Mom, Dad, there's something you need to know. Jasper found something today."

"Oh? What's that?" Dad asked.

"There's something wrong with the books," Elliot said.

Mom paused and looked up at me. "What's that mean?"

So, I explained it to them. What I found and how bad the situation looked. "I can't be certain. We need to talk to Natalie. But, she, uh, left town and isn't answering her phone."

"Oh, the poor thing," Mom said. "She's probably blaming herself."

Chase scowled and bit off a hangnail. "Yeah, well, she should. She knew and didn't tell us."

"Chase!" Elliot hissed. "That's not helping."

"Yeah, I think she does blame herself," I said. "And I probably didn't make matters any better by yelling at her."

"Jasper Everton, you did not yell at that girl!" Mom knocked me upside the head.

"Ouch, shit!"

"You really are a dumb son-of-a-bitch, aren't ya?" Dad said.

"He gets it from you," Mom retorted. "Let's not talk about how many dumb mistakes you made when we were dating."

Dad merely laughed and pressed a kiss to Mom's hair.

Mom swatted him away and turned back to me. "Well, what are you going to do about it?"

Elliot handed me a fresh bag of ice. "Yeah, Jas. What's the plan?"

"Please tell me you have a plan," Chase chimed in.

Their expectant faces were too much to bear. "I don't know, alright? I don't have all the fucking answers."

Mom's lips pursed at my language. I covered my face with my hands and took a slow, measured breath. "Sorry, I just... I need a minute."

My chest tightened, and my palms were drenched. I had to get out of there. Breathe fresh air. I ducked out the kitchen and slammed the door behind me.

Once outside, I leaned on the porch railing. After a few slow, deep breaths, I raised my head and looked out over the orchard. An endless sea of trees stared back at me. It was almost like they were looking at me too, patiently waiting for answers.

What the fuck am I going to do?

I'd been on the porch no more than two minutes before the creak of weathered wood made me turn. Nana was taking the porch steps one at a time, her arthritis clearly bothering her that day. Her silver hair caught the afternoon sunlight as she made her way toward me.

"There's my favorite grandson."

"I don't think you're supposed to pick favorites, Nana," I grumbled, unable to keep the edge from my voice.

"What's with the attitude?"

My fingers clenched around the porch railing. "Natalie left."

"Well go get 'er."

I raked my fingers through my hair, frustration building in my chest. "It's not that simple."

Nana fixed me with that stern look she used to give me when I was a kid trying to sneak extra cookies. "You love 'er?"

"Yes," I whispered.

"Then it is that simple."

Chapter Twenty-Eight

NATALIE

I'd been back in the city for twenty-four hours, and I was already suffocating. The constant noise—car horns blaring, chatter in the hallway, the rumble of the train tracks—had me lying face down on the bed with a pillow shoved over my head.

I missed the quiet of Sable Point. The peace. Walking out of my father's office and seeing Jasper leaning against a lamp post. Instead, I walked out of the apartment building that morning to a homeless man taking a shit on the sidewalk.

You couldn't make this stuff up.

Was I glad I still had a few months left on my lease and somewhere to flee to? Yes. But the more I thought about it, the more I thought I shouldn't have fled to begin with.

I had run away from my fears once before, and look where that got me. I'd spent seven years distracting myself from missing the one person who knew me better than anyone. My person.

Maybe if I had just talked to Jasper when he'd asked me to marry him—if I'd told him my fears, and hopes and dreams—I would've known he shared them all. We could've taken on the world together. But I didn't. I left him in Sable Point.

I'd thought seven years in the city had changed me so much. I thought I'd grown. But here I was, making the same damn mistakes all over again. As soon as things got tough, I regressed to terrified teenage Natalie and ran for the hills. What happened to being a grown-ass woman who owned her mistakes and took responsibility?

What the hell am I doing?

My phone buzzed on the coffee table. Another text from Mom. I ignored it, just like I'd ignored the dozen others she'd sent since I fled town. I couldn't face her disappointment right then. Couldn't bear to hear her say "I told you so" about keeping secrets from Jasper.

Just thinking his name triggered a bittersweet ache behind my breastbone. The look on his face when I admitted to knowing about the orchard's finances... God, I'd give anything to take that moment back.

I grabbed my laptop. There had to be a way to fix this mess, to save Ever Eden. If I'd destroyed my relationship with Jasper, maybe I could at least save the orchard. But as I stared at the screen, the numbers blurred and swam. Misery and guilt settled over my brain like a blanket of fog. I couldn't think straight.

A sharp knock at the door startled me from my idleness. I froze, heart pounding. It was probably Mrs. Kapoor from next door, checking to see why I was back. I debated ignoring it. Mrs. Kapoor meant well, but she was a solid contender for nosiest woman on the planet. I couldn't deal with her right now. I turned back to my screen, but the knocking persisted, more insistent this time.

"Coming!" I called, smoothing my hair and praying I didn't look as wrecked as I felt.

I swung the door open, prepared to paste on a fake smile. Instead, I found myself staring into a pair of familiar amber eyes.

Jasper.

He was here.

He had come for me.

He looked rumpled and road weary. After a few moments of stunned staring, I registered the piece of paper clutched in his hand. At first, neither of us spoke. The air between us buzzed with barely contained emotions.

"Hey, Nat," he said, his voice tired and hoarse. Before I could respond, he thrust the paper toward me. "This is for you."

I took the letter with shaking hands, instantly recognizing my father's handwriting. "How did you⁠—"

"Your mom gave it to me. Just... read it, okay?"

I nodded and unfolded the paper. As I read, tears blurred my vision.

My dearest Natalie,

If you're reading this, it means I'm no longer with you. I hope you'll forgive me for imposing my thoughts upon you one last time, but there are things I need to share.

First, I want you to know how incredibly proud I am of the woman you have become. Your strength, intelligence, and compassion shine brightly, illuminating everything you touch. But I worry that sometimes, my dear, that same strength becomes a barrier, pushing away the very people who love you the most.

I've seen you run from your challenges, thinking that distance will somehow lessen their weight. But running away does not mean the problems disappear. It only delays the inevitable reckoning.

Your heart has been intertwined with Jasper's for years, yet both of you stood stubbornly on the sidelines, too afraid to admit what you felt. That man loves you, Natalie. I've seen it. I've felt it. He is the kind of partner who will stand by you through life's storms. But for that to happen, you both need to drop your walls and confront your feelings honestly.

When you're ready—and I hope it's soon—allow yourself to reconnect with the past you share. Life in a small town like Sable Point doesn't mean your hopes and dreams need to shrink. You can achieve great things right here if only you dare to face your fears head-on. Life is too short for regrets and "what-ifs."

Oh, and tell Jasper that Elliot saved a piece of the old oak tree you two carved your initials into. The poor boy may speak in grunts half the time, but he's got a good heart. I imagine he never found the words to tell you or Jasper what he did. But he knew how important this was. It's a reminder of the love that has thrived amidst the years and could blossom again.

Remember, my little cricket, you are stronger than you know. Trust your heart; it will always guide you home.

All my love,

Dad

I looked up at Jasper. "Come in," I choked out, stepping aside to let him enter.

Jasper hesitated briefly before crossing the threshold. His familiar scent wrapped around me, stirring up a maelstrom of emotions.

He closed the door behind him. We stood there in awkward silence. I clutched my father's letter to my chest until I registered the paper crumpling between my fingers. Then I smoothed out the creases and carefully tucked it into my pocket. This was the kind of letter you kept for a lifetime.

"Nat," Jasper started, pushing a hand through his hair. "When your mom told me you left... Christ, it felt like seven years ago all over again."

His words unlocked everything I'd been holding back since I fled Sable Point. "I'm so sorry," I sobbed. "I thought I was protecting you, but I see now how wrong that was. I just wanted to prove I could fix things." It was only after I'd stopped speaking and saw the smirk on Jasper's face that I realized I'd slipped into Korean for my rant. "Oh, shit. Sorry. I said⁠—"

"I know what you said. And you have nothing to prove," Jasper said in flawless Korean.

I blinked, my mouth hanging open in shock. My heart stuttered, and I struggled to find words.

"How do you—you don't speak Korean." The words tumbled out, more accusation than question.

"Oh, but I do."

Chapter Twenty-Nine

JASPER

"Your dad taught me. When you moved away, he missed having someone he could speak Korean with. So I asked him to teach me, and he did."

The look of love and awe on Natalie's face nearly brought me to my knees. Her shimmering brown eyes locked onto mine, sending a pang straight through me that made my stomach flip and my legs tremble. My eyes were drawn to the soft curve of her lips. I could almost taste the sweetness of her breath. My fingertips tingled. I longed to trace the delicate line of her jaw, to feel the warmth of her skin beneath my hands.

"I can't believe you did that for him."

I shrugged a shoulder. "He was like a father to me. You know that. We spent a lot of time together while you were gone. He's the one who taught me how to manage all the books. Guess I did a shit job, though, since I missed the problems we're dealing with now."

The words evoked a bitter mixture of grief and self-loathing that threatened to choke me. I couldn't bring myself to look at Natalie. Instead, I focused on the worn floorboards beneath my feet, tracing the patterns in the wood grain.

Natalie's tremulous reply was barely audible. "Jasper, it's not your fault. You did everything right. Everything you sent over to him was perfect. But..."

"But what?"

I watched as her brow wrinkled. She looked like she was struggling with herself, fighting to get the words out.

"When I went through everything, I noticed that he started making errors when he got sick. They were small, but over time, they added up. It's not just the Ever Eden account either. I've been going through all his files. They're a mess."

I sucked in a sharp breath. "Shit, Nat. I'm sorry. I should've given you a chance to explain. I know you're carrying a lot. I should've been there for you."

I wanted to comfort her, but I didn't know how anymore. All I could do was stare at her helplessly. The gulf between us, carved by seven bitter years apart, felt wider than ever.

But I'd be damned if I let her go again.

Get her back.

"Natalie, I don't wanna go another seven years without you. Fuck, I don't wanna go another seven minutes. If you wanna stay here in the city, then I'll stay. I'll follow you anywhere. I should've come for you then. I won't leave you now."

Her eyes widened, and her face crumpled. For a moment, I thought she might cry, but then a slow smile spread across her face, lighting up the room. "You'd really do that? Leave Sable Point? The orchard?"

"In a heartbeat. You're worth more to me than any piece of land or family legacy."

She stepped towards me. Her coconut and vanilla scent permeated the air between us. I longed to touch her, to pull her close and never let go.

"Jasper." She paused, biting her lower lip. "I don't want you to leave Sable Point. You love it there. It's your home."

I cupped her face in my hands. Her skin was soft, warm beneath my palms. "You're my home, Nat. You always have been."

She leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed. When she opened them again, the tears finally spilled over.

This time, I didn't hesitate. I closed the final inches between us and captured her mouth with mine. The kiss was hungry and frantic. Natalie's hands fisted in my shirt, pulling me closer as she parted her lips, inviting me deeper.

I lost myself in the taste of her, her soft whimpers as I explored her mouth. My hands roamed her body, and she arched into me, pressing the length of her body against mine. I groaned at the contact.

"Jasper," she whispered against my lips. I pulled back just enough to meet her gaze. "I love you. So so much."

I'd dreamed of hearing those words again for so long, but the reality was sweeter than any fantasy.

"I love you too, Nat. God, I never stopped."

I pressed my lips to hers, pouring every ounce of longing and love into the kiss. She moaned into my mouth, her fingers tangling in my hair. The sound ignited something primal in me, an animalistic urge I couldn't control.

My muscles tensed as I lifted her easily, her slight weight nothing compared to the heavy crates I hauled at the orchard. I carried her to the bed I'd spotted in the corner of her tiny studio apartment. The feel of her body against mine, warm and soft, set my heart pounding.

I couldn't get enough of her.

I laid her on the bed, drinking in the sight of her. Her eyes were dark with desire, and I felt a rush of pride knowing I was the cause.

Our kisses grew more heated, hands exploring with desperate need. I trailed my lips down her neck, savoring the taste of her skin. She arched beneath me, a soft mewl escaping her lips.

"Jasper, please."

I looked up, meeting her eyes. "What do you need, baby? Tell me."

Her cheeks flushed, but her gaze didn't waver. "I need you. All of you."

A growl rumbled in my chest. I captured her lips again, my hands working to remove her clothes. Each inch of skin revealed was a gift, and I worshipped it with lips and tongue.

Soon, we were both naked, skin sliding against skin. The feel of her beneath me, warm and soft and perfect, nearly undid me. I paused, resting my forehead against hers.

"You sure?" I asked, needing to hear it one more time. "We don't have to⁠—"

Natalie cupped my face and gazed steadily into my eyes. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

That was all the confirmation I needed.

As I positioned myself at her entrance, a wave of emotion engulfed me. This wasn't just sex. It was a homecoming, a reunion of two souls that had been apart for far too long. I pushed inside her slowly, savoring every inch, every sensation.

It was overwhelming. She gasped and her nails bit into my back. The exquisite sting of pain drove my arousal to new heights. My groan was almost a purr as I buried my face in her neck.

Fuck. How did I live for seven years without this?

"God, Jasper," she moaned. "You feel so good."

Her words spurred me on. I picked up the pace, driving into her with more force. The headboard banged a steady beat against the wall.

Natalie's cries grew louder, and her body tightened around me. My balls contracted as I barreled towards my own impending release.

But I wanted this to last. In a truly monumental feat of restraint, I gritted my teeth and pulled out of her.

She whined in protest, but it was cut short when I flipped her to her hands and knees. I glided a hand down her spine and palmed the taut globes of her ass. My other hand soon got in on the fun, kneading, caressing, spreading her wide for me.

Then I dove headfirst into her sopping wet pussy.

She screamed, dropping to her forearms and thrusting her cunt back into my face. But I wanted more. I flopped onto my back and scooted myself higher on the bed. I gripped her hips tightly and maneuvered her until she was straddling my head. My mouth watered as I stared up at her slick, swollen folds. "Sit," I demanded.

My girl complied so quickly. She was riding my face, grinding down so hard I could barely breathe but, fuck, if this was how I went out, damn, what a way to go.

I gripped Natalie's hips, guiding her movements as she ground against my face. Her thighs quivered on either side of my head, and I could feel the tremors building in her core. The taste of her arousal flooded my senses, sweet and tangy and so fucking perfect. I lapped at her greedily, my tongue delving deep inside her before flicking up to tease her clit.

Her moans grew louder, more desperate. She tangled her fingers in my hair, tugging almost painfully as she rode my face with abandon. I groaned against her, the vibrations making her gasp and shudder.

"Jasper, oh God, yes," she panted, her voice husky with need. "I'm so close, please don't stop."

I had no intention of stopping. I redoubled my efforts, sucking her clit between my lips and sliding two fingers inside her. The wet heat of her cunt clenched around my digits, and I curled them, searching for that spot that would make her combust.

A keening cry tore from her throat as she came undone. Her thighs clamped around my head, and her whole body shook as waves of pleasure crashed over her. I gentled my touches to soft broad strokes with the flat of my tongue, working her through it as she started to come down.

When she finally released me, collapsing onto the bed beside me, I felt a surge of smug satisfaction. Her cheeks were flushed, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. I'd never seen anything more breathtaking.

I leaned in to kiss her, letting her taste herself on my lips. She moaned softly, lifting a clumsy hand to stroke my face.

"That was..." she trailed off, shaking her head with a breathless laugh.

I grinned, nuzzling against her neck. "Just the beginning, baby. I'm nowhere near done with you yet."

Her eyes darkened with renewed desire. She reached between us, wrapping her fingers around my painfully hard cock. I hissed at the contact, my hips jerking involuntarily.

"Good," she said, stroking me slowly. "Because I want to feel you inside me again."

I growled and rolled over so she was pinned beneath me. Her legs parted instinctively, cradling my hips. I could feel her wet heat against me, and it took every ounce of self-control not to thrust into her right then.

Instead, I paused, savoring the moment. Her hair was mussed, her lips swollen from our kisses. Her eyes met mine, filled with love, trust, and a hunger that matched my own. I aligned our bodies, savoring the moment, then I entered her with a slow, steady push.

Natalie let out a broken wail. "Oh God, Jasper," she moaned.

I chuckled and started to move, setting a rhythm that had us both panting.

"Fuck, Nat," I grunted. "You feel so fucking good."

She met me thrust for thrust, wrapping her legs around my waist to pull me deeper, digging her heels into my ass. The angle shifted, and suddenly I was hitting that magic spot.

She cried out, her back bowing off the bed. "Right there, Jas. Don't stop!"

Sweat prickled on my forehead, my muscles straining with the effort of holding back my own release.

Not yet. Make her come again.

I worked a hand between us and ran my thumb over her hard slippery clit. Her body tensed beneath me as I circled it in tight, fast strokes. Her walls clamped down like a wet velvet vise, and I sped up my ministrations, murmuring words of encouragement. "That's it, baby. Come on my cock."

Natalie's eyes fluttered closed, her mouth falling open in a silent scream as she came undone. The sight of her lost in pleasure, combined with the feel of her pussy clenching around me, pushed me over the edge.

I bellowed out a groan, my hips jerking as I emptied myself inside her.

As the aftershocks faded, I carefully lowered myself onto her, mindful not to crush her with my weight. Her arms came up to wrap around me, holding me close.

We lay like that for a long moment, just breathing each other in. Finally, I lifted my head to meet her gaze.

"I love you," I whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

Natalie smiled, her fingers tracing patterns on my back. "I love you too, Jas. So much."

I rolled to the side, pulling her with me so she was tucked against my chest. As we lay there, basking in the afterglow, reality started to rear its head.

"We should probably talk about what happens next," I said reluctantly.

Natalie nodded, her expression turning serious. "You're right. We can't ignore the orchard's problems, or the mess with my dad's accounts."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I know. But we'll figure it out together, okay? You don't have to carry this burden alone anymore."

She looked up at me hesitantly, her eyes glistening. "You mean that?"

"Of course I do. We're a team, Nat."

A small, shy smile tugged at her lips. "Okay."

I pressed a kiss to the top of her head and pulled her closer. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together. Deal?"

"Deal."

As we sealed our agreement with a kiss, I felt a sense of hope tentatively unfurling in my chest.

"So what's our first move?"

"Take me home, Jas."

"Are you sure?" I asked, hardly daring to believe it.

"So sure. I hate it here. It's loud, and it smells. My job here was soul-sucking."

Her words gushed out, as if she'd been holding them back for far too long. "I thought I needed to leave Sable Point to live out my dreams, that they could only be achieved in the big city. But now I see how wrong I was. I want to help people, like my dad did. I want to be surrounded by family. I want quiet pancake breakfasts with Mom and afternoons on the lake with your brothers and sister. I want to catch up on everything I missed out on over the last seven years."

Her next words sucker-punched me, stealing my breath.

"Sure, I've been living in the city, but I haven't really been living. Just existing. Missing you. You're my home too."

I wanted to grab her and kiss her senseless. But I held back, treasuring this moment, committing every word, every movement of her face to memory.

"I've waited seven years to start living again, Jasper. I'm done waiting."

All I could manage was a shaky laugh. "Well thank fuck for that."

Maybe this really was our second chance. A do-over. A chance to get it right this time.

The thought sent a thrill through me, equal parts excitement and fear. I was still trying to put words around what I was feeling when Natalie's stomach growled loudly.

She laughed, a light blush coloring her cheeks. "Sorry. I guess all that... activity worked up an appetite."

I grinned, pressing a quick kiss to her lips before sitting up. "Well, we can't have that. How about I go see what I can rustle up in that kitchen of yours?"

"You're going to cook for me?"

"Don't sound so surprised," I said, pulling on my boxers. "I'll have you know I've become quite the chef in your absence."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? And what culinary delights can I expect from Chef Jasper tonight?"

I paused at the bedroom door, turning back to look at her. The sight of Natalie, hair mussed and cheeks still flushed from multiple orgasms, had my spent cock twitching against my thigh.

How did I get so lucky?

I winked at her. "That, my dear, is a surprise. But I promise it'll be better than those burned grilled cheese sandwiches I used to make."

Natalie laughed. "Well, that's not a very high bar to clear, is it?"

"Just for that, I might have to withhold dessert."

Her eyes darkened, a mischievous glint appearing. "Oh? And what exactly did you have in mind for dessert?"

I hefted Natalie's bag into the bed of my truck, the dull thud echoing through the concrete cavern of the parking garage. The air was thick with the smell of exhaust and damp asphalt—a far cry from the crisp orchard air I was used to.

"My car is here, Jasper. I have to drive home," she said reluctantly.

"No. You asked me to take you home, I'm taking you home. Plus, I'm not spending the next five hours away from you. We'll come get it next week. We can make a whole weekend out of it. You can show me all your favorite spots in the city."

I watched her face, searching for a reaction. A mix of emotions played across her features—surprise, uncertainty, excitement.

"Yeah?" she asked, a smile lighting up her face.

My stomach swooped. God, I loved that smile. Loved being responsible for it. "Yeah," I replied. "I'd like to see what you've been up to these past few years."

I climbed into the driver's seat, and Natalie settled in beside me. God, how many times had I imagined this moment? Turning up in Chicago and sweeping her off her feet. Rescuing her from the bustle and grind of the city. Bringing her home.

As we pulled out of the parking garage, the city skyline unfolded before us. Natalie fidgeted with the radio until a soft melody filled the silence between us.

"So," I ventured. "Five hours, huh? Got any road trip games up your sleeve?"

Natalie laughed. "I spy with my little eye, a man who's terrible at small talk."

I grinned. "Ouch. Direct hit, Choi."

As we hit the highway, leaving Chicago behind, Natalie's hand brushed against mine on the center console. I glanced over, catching her eye. The hope and uncertainty in her expression mirrored my own feelings.

"Jasper," she said softly. "I know I've made mistakes, but I want you to know⁠—"

A loud pop interrupted her, and the truck lurched violently to the right. I gripped the wheel tightly, guiding us safely to the shoulder as the distinctive flap-flap-flap of a blown tire filled the air.

"Shit," I muttered, putting the truck in Park and flicking on the hazards. I turned to Natalie. "You okay?"

She nodded and shot me a wry grin. "Just our luck, huh?"

"Yeah, well, at least we're in this together now."

I opened the door and the rush of passing cars drowned out her response. I paused, one foot on the gravel shoulder, and looked back at her. "What was that?"

"I said, be careful out there," she called, her voice barely audible over the traffic.

I nodded, giving her a reassuring smile before shutting the door. The last of the summer heat beat down on me as I headed for the back of the truck and pulled out the spare tire.

As I worked, I caught glimpses of Natalie through the side mirror. She was leaning against the passenger door now, arms crossed, watching me with an intensity that made my skin tingle. Focus on the damn tire, Everton.

I tightened the last lug nut before I stood and faced her. "I told my family last night." I wiped my hands on my jeans, leaving greasy streaks behind. "About the orchard, I mean."

Surprise flashed across Natalie's face. She took a few steps closer, her eyes darting to the passing cars before settling back on me. "You did? How...how did they take it?"

"About as well as you'd expect. Dad's in denial, Mom's worried, Chase is an asshole..." I trailed off, shaking my head. "Let's just say it wasn't a fun family dinner."

Natalie gnawed her bottom lip with her teeth. It was a habit she'd had since we were kids, one that always surfaced when she was deep in thought. "I've been thinking," she said, her voice cautious. "I might have some ideas on how we can turn things around."

"Yeah?"

She nodded. "But we need to sit down with everyone. Your parents, your siblings—it's going to take a team effort to make this work."

The idea of facing my family and mulling over our financial struggles was less than appealing. But as I looked at Natalie, at the grim resolve on her face, I suddenly felt more hopeful. Deep down, I'd always believed my girl could fix anything she put her brilliant mind to.

"Alright," I said, surprising myself with how steady my voice sounded. "We'll talk to them. Together."

"Together," she echoed, reaching out to squeeze my arm. "We should get back on the road. We've got a lot to discuss."

We climbed back into the truck, and I started the engine, stealing one last glance at Natalie as she settled into her seat. She caught my eye, her smile softening into something more intimate, more vulnerable.

"What?" she asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

How did I tell her that having her here, fighting for my family's legacy, meant everything to me? I'd always secretly worried that she resented the orchard, saw it as a millstone that would always tie me to Sable Point. Seeing her so determined to save it meant more than I felt capable of expressing. I cleared my throat. "I just—I'm glad you're here, Nat. That we're doing this together."

Her eyes sparkled. She was looking at me like she used to. Like she loved me. She reached out and took my hand again. I had to force myself to focus on the road ahead.

"Me too, Jas," she said. "I know we have a lot to figure out, but I think... I think maybe this is our second chance."

A second chance. With Natalie. God, how many times had I dreamed about this? I tightened my grip on her hand. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Chapter Thirty

NATALIE

Jasper's hand was warm and steady in mine as we approached the front door of his parents' home. My heart pounded in a frantic rhythm that threatened to drown out all other sounds.

"You okay?" Jasper asked, his thumb tracing circles on my skin.

I nodded, unable to speak. What if they hate me now? What if I ruined everything?

Before I had the chance to torture myself further, the door swung open. Emma stood there, her eyes widening as they landed on our joined hands.

"Natalie," she gasped, and for a second, I was frozen, unable to read her expression.

Then she pulled me into a rib-cracking hug. "Oh, sweetheart, we've been so worried."

I melted into her arms, fighting back a sob of relief. When she finally released me, I saw Jay standing behind her, his weathered face grave and concerned.

"Come in, both of you," he said, waving us inside.

The warmth of the Everton home wrapped around me the instant I crossed the threshold. Family photos lined the walls, joyful moments frozen in time. My gaze caught on one of Jasper and me at our high school graduation, smiling and carefree. In that instant, I wanted to step back into that world, where my only worries were homework and squeezing out as many precious seconds with Jasper as I could.

Stop it. It's grown-up time now. No more running away.

I gave myself a shake, and we made our way to the living room, where Chase and Elliot were already seated. Chase's eyes darted between Jasper and me, his expression wary. Elliot offered a small smile, but his shoulders were set and tense.

I perched on the edge of the couch, grateful for Jasper's solid presence beside me. The air in the room felt heavy and fraught. Emma settled into her armchair, her fingers twisting the hem of her cardigan. Jay stood behind her, one hand resting on her shoulder.

Jasper cleared his throat. It sounded startlingly loud in the silent room. "Thanks for coming together like this," he began. "As you know, we've discovered some... issues with the orchard's finances."

Five pairs of eyes turned to me, their gazes a mix of curiosity, concern, and—in Chase's case—a hint of accusation. My cheeks burned, and I resisted the impulse to squirm under their scrutiny.

"Natalie's been working on figuring out what happened," Jasper continued, placing a reassuring hand on my knee. "And she has some thoughts on how we can move forward."

This was it. Don't mess this up.

"The discrepancies started about six months ago. It looked like Dad's illness affected his work more than we realized. He⁠—"

"So, it's your father's fault?" Chase interrupted.

Jasper stiffened beside me, but before he could respond, Jay spoke up. "Let her finish, Son."

I shot Jay a grateful look before continuing. "It's not just the orchard. Several local businesses⁠—"

A sudden crash from the kitchen made us all jump. Emma leapt to her feet, her face pale.

"Oops. Broke a glass. Sorry, Em."

The raspy male voice drifted in from the kitchen. A few seconds later, Nana and Papa Everton hobbled into the room. Papa guided Nana to a seat on the couch between Chase and Elliot. Both twins leaned in to give their grandmother a kiss on the cheek.

"Heard there was a family meeting. Our invitation must've gotten lost in the post," Nana said.

"You scared the shit out of me." Emma blew out a long breath and rubbed a hand over her chest.

"Language, Mother."

Despite the awful situation, I had to fight to keep a straight face as Emma glared at Chase.

"Carry on, Natalie," Papa Everton said.

"The discrepancies aren't isolated to Ever Eden," I continued, my voice wavering. "Several local businesses were affected by Dad's... oversights."

I should've noticed sooner. I should've been there for him.

"How bad is it?" Elliot leaned forward, frowning.

I tried to respond, but the guilt constricted my throat, choking off my words. My eyes darted around the room, unable to settle on any one face.

"Natalie, dear," Emma's gentle voice cut through my panic. "Let me get you some water."

She rose, patting my shoulder as she passed. The simple gesture of kindness made me feel even worse. I didn't deserve it.

"Thanks," I croaked.

She returned with the water, and I took a grateful sip, using the moment to collect myself.

"The orchard's losses are significant," I said, my voice steadier now. "But I think with some restructuring and⁠—"

"How significant?" Elliot asked. "Thousands?"

I grimaced. "More like tens of thousands."

Another horrible silence fell over the room.

Chase, who had been unexpectedly quiet, finally spoke up. "What does this mean for the orchard's future? Are we gonna lose it?"

The worry in his voice brought me up short. I looked up, meeting his eyes for the first time since I started speaking. He looked like an anxious little boy who'd just heard Christmas might be canceled.

"I don't know," I admitted softly. "But I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that doesn't happen."

Jay paced the room. I held my breath, waiting for the anger, the disappointment, the blame.

But when he turned to face me, his expression was thoughtful, almost... grateful?

"Natalie," he said, perching on the arm of Emma's chair and sliding an arm around her shoulders. "Thank you for your honesty and diligence in uncovering these problems."

"I... what?"

"You heard me. This situation isn't your fault. You've done us a great service by bringing it to light."

Emma nodded, reaching out to pat my hand. "We're grateful. Truly."

I looked around the room, waiting for the other shoe to drop. But all I saw were nods of agreement and fixed, determined looks.

Elliot sat up straight, his eyes intense. "We'll figure this out. Right, Chase?"

Chase looked at me. I saw a flicker of the boy I used to know—mischievous, loyal, fiercely protective of his family. "Yeah," he said gruffly. "We've got this."

Jasper put an arm around me, and I leaned into his warmth. "See?" he whispered. "I told you they'd understand."

A lump rose in my throat. Their acceptance and support were overwhelming.

Nana Everton cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Well, now that we've got all that sorted," she said, leaning a hand on Chase's shoulder and heaving herself upright, "who's up for some pie?"

Nana's mention of pie broke the tension, a few people even managed a feeble chuckle. "Before we dig into that pie," I said, my voice trembling slightly, "I'd like to share some ideas I've been working on."

The room went quiet again, all eyes on me. But this time, their gaze felt different—supportive, encouraging.

"First, we need to streamline operations. I've identified several areas where we can cut costs without sacrificing quality."

As I spoke, my voice grew stronger. I outlined my ideas for modernizing the orchard's accounting systems, exploring new revenue streams, and leveraging local partnerships. With each word, I felt a spark of the old Natalie—the one who thrived on challenges and believed in her ability to overcome them.

Jasper's hand on my knee grounded me. I glanced at him and saw pride and love shining in his eyes.

"We could also consider expanding into organic products," I continued, warming to my subject. "There's a growing market for⁠—"

"Organic?" Chase interrupted. "Like, pesticide-free apples and stuff?"

I nodded, grateful for his interest. "Exactly. It would require some changes in growing practices, but the potential profit margins are significant."

Elliot snapped his fingers. "What about agritourism? We've talked about it before but never really pursued it."

"That's a great idea!" I said. "We could offer orchard tours, maybe even set up a small bed-and-breakfast."

As we continued to brainstorm, something shifted in the room. The fear and tension melted away, replaced by a sense of shared purpose and more than a hint of the trademark Everton obstinacy. I should've known they wouldn't go down without a fight.

"Oh, Natalie," Emma said, her eyes glistening. "We've missed your spark around here."

Affection and gratitude washed over me. All I could do was return her smile. If I tried to speak, I would have burst into tears.

"So," Jay said, with a hint of his old mischievous grin, "when do we start?"

I excused myself from the family gathering, scanning the room for Elliot. I spotted him in a quiet corner, nursing a beer and observing the family's interactions with that keen gaze of his.

He looked up as I approached. "Natalie." He spoke in his usual quiet, measured tone, but a faint knowing smile animated his features. Without another word, he set down his bottle and motioned toward the back door with his head.

I followed him out to the barn, the cool night air a welcome respite from the stuffy house. Moonlight filtered through the slats, casting long shadows across the dusty floor.

Moving with purpose, Elliot reached into a tool bench, rummaging for a moment before turning back to me. In his hands was a polished wooden object.

My breath caught as recognition dawned. The preserved carving of Jasper's and my initials from the old tree. I reached out, fingers trembling as I traced the familiar grooves, worn smooth by time.

"How...?" I whispered, unable to finish the question.

Elliot's eyes crinkled at the corners. "I salvaged it when we had to cut down that old oak a few years ago. Couldn't bear to let it go."

I clutched the carving to my chest, groping for adequate words of thanks.

"He never stopped loving you, you know," Elliot said, his voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

I sniffed and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. "I never stopped loving him either. I-I was so scared of..."

The wooden carving felt warm against my chest, a piece of the past I thought I'd lost forever. I looked up at Elliot, hoping my expression conveyed how much this meant to me.

Elliot's hand settled on my shoulder, solid and comforting. "I'm glad you came home, Natalie."

I smiled shakily, running my fingers over the carved initials. "Thank you, Elliot. For keeping this. For everything."

He didn't say anything. He simply nodded. But I knew he understood. We stood there in companionable silence, the barn creaking softly around us.

Chapter Thirty-One

JASPER

My shoulders were tight, muscles coiled with lingering tension from our family meeting. The gravel driveway crunched under my boots as I shifted my weight, unable to stay still.

Damn, why am I so anxious?

Maybe because I had watched Nat walk into the barn with Elliot, and I didn't want to go two-and-oh on my brothers messing with my girl.

Then again, this was Elliot we were talking about.

And Natalie.

She loves me. She's home. She's staying.

I closed my eyes, leaned back against the truck, and silently repeated the mantra. The barn door creaked, and my eyes snapped open. Elliot emerged, veering off toward the house. Natalie was right behind him. When she spotted me, a smile broke over her face and she hurried over. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes unnaturally bright.

I straightened up, pulling my hands from my pockets.

"Jas," she panted, coming to a stop a few feet away. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. "I-I love you."

My heart pounded against my ribcage, threatening to burst free. The world around us dissolved, leaving only her standing before me, vulnerable and raw.

Say something, you idiot.

I closed the distance between us. My hand reached out, seemingly of its own accord, and cupped her cheek. Her skin was soft beneath my palm, and she leaned into my touch, reaching up and cradling my hand to her face.

The familiar orchard aroma of apples and earth was eclipsed by coconut and vanilla.

"I'm sorry for running again," she said, her voice soft but steady. "I feel like I never got around to saying it properly before. I'm not going to make excuses for myself. It was a knee-jerk reaction, and I regret it more than you know."

I wanted to pull her to me, but I held off. She wasn't done, I could see it in the set of her jaw, the determined spark in her eyes.

"I'm done running, Jasper. I've realized it doesn't matter how far I go."

I tilted my head, a question forming on my lips, but she beat me to it.

"No matter where I am, my heart will always be in Sable Point... with you."

The words slammed into my chest like a sledgehammer. My shoulders slumped, the tension seeping out of me as her confession sank in.

She extended her hand, offering me something.

My fingers grazed her soft skin as I took the object from her. It was a piece of wood, smooth to the touch, but unexpectedly weighty in my palm.

My eyes burned as I ran my thumb over the carved initials: J + N.

Fuck, I remember carving this like it was yesterday.

I blinked rapidly, but it was no use. A tear escaped, sliding down my cheek.

"Jas?" Natalie's voice was soft, concerned.

I couldn't look at her. Not yet. I kept my eyes fixed on the wood, tracing the lines of our initials over and over.

I finally lifted my gaze to meet Natalie's, my vision blurry. How could I possibly express what this meant to me?

I stretched out my hand, reaching for hers. Our fingers laced together, and we stood under the tree, cradling this precious fragment of our past. It felt like solid proof. Proof that, in spite of everything, our love survived, like a tiny flame that refused to be snuffed out.

If the roots are strong, the tree will survive.

Papa's old adage echoed through my mind, and I smiled to myself. Perhaps true love was a lot like a tree, a lot like this orchard. Sometimes life brought a storm and a few branches got knocked off, but if the roots were sound, we'd still be standing when everything blew over. There might have been a storm on the horizon then, but Ever Eden could tough it out. And so could we.

"Ask me again," Natalie whispered.

"What?"

"Ask me again," she repeated, more insistent this time.

For a second, I looked at her blankly. And then it clicked.

A question I had asked her seven years ago.

A question she had said no to.

A question I never believed I'd have the chance to ask her again.

"Natalie..."

"Please, Jas," she pleaded, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Fuck." I was overwhelmed by the moment, by her. "Natalie Marie Choi, will you... will you marry me?"

"Yes."

She answered without hesitation, and it was the sweetest sound I had ever heard.

My smile stretched my face to the point of pain, and Nat's matched it. We soaked it in, the moment we'd both been waiting seven years for. Because we were each other's home, and no amount of time or space could ever change that.

Epilogue

JASPER

Get out!" my sister shrieked. "You can't see Nat in her dress before the wedding day!"

I slapped a hand over my eyes, feeling like a complete idiot. "Okay, shit. I didn't know she was in her dress!"

Charlie's exasperated sigh filled the room. "What do you think a dress fitting is, you fool?"

"Stop yelling at me!" I snapped back. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. I stood there, hand still firmly pressed against my face, caught between the desire to bolt and the temptation to catch even the smallest glimpse of Natalie.

"Stop standing there like a ding dong with your hand over your eyes!"

Blind and flustered, I spun around, only to smash face-first into the unforgiving door frame. Pain exploded across my forehead. "Ouch, fuck," I muttered, rubbing the spot that would surely bruise.

Suddenly, I felt Natalie's warm hands on my shoulders. They were soft but firm as she steered me out of the room. Her scent washed over me and calmed my racing heart.

"I'll be out in a second," she said, her voice close to my ear.

I sat on the couch in Marie's living room, my knee bouncing with nervous energy as I waited for Natalie. The bedroom door creaked open, and I straightened up. Marie emerged first, followed by Charlie, and then finally, Natalie.

"Hey, you," Natalie said, her voice soft and warm.

I stood up so quickly I nearly tripped over my own feet, rubbing the back of my neck as heat crept up my face. "Hey. Sorry, I didn't mean to⁠—"

"It's fine," Natalie assured me. "I don't believe in that old superstition. I could wear my dress all day, every day from now until the wedding and it wouldn't change a thing."

The easy confidence in her reply settled something in me. I wasn't sure why I was nervous. She had already agreed to marry me after seven years apart. I just... I wanted to give her the world. Make all her dreams come true, bring every fantasy to life. Right here in Sable Point. With me.

"I have a surprise for you," I said.

Her eyes lit up, and a mischievous smile spread over her face. "Ice cream?" she asked, eyebrows raised in mock hope.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Better than ice cream."

"Ah, cake," she declared, nodding sagely.

"Not cake, you goof." I reached for her hand. "Come on."

I led her out of her mom's house, and we stepped into the cool spring night. My heart was pounding so hard I was convinced she could hear it, but I tried to keep my cool as we approached the spot where my truck nestled between the trees.

I had spent hours setting this up, and now that we were here, I was suddenly nervous as hell. The bed of my pickup was decked out with a blow-up mattress, pillows, and blankets. I had snacks stashed in a cooler and a movie projection screen rigged up against the cab. Twinkle lights I had swiped from Charlie's room were strung along the sides, casting a soft glow over everything. Cinderella was cued up and ready to go, just waiting for us to hit play.

My palms were sweating as I turned to Natalie, searching her face for a reaction. "Do you like it?"

She took in the scene, lips parting in surprise. For a heart-stopping moment, I was terrified she hated it. But then a radiant smile bloomed across her face.

"Jasper!" She squeezed my hand. "This is... it's perfect."

"Yeah? You like it?"

"I love it. How did you even manage all this?"

"I have my ways."

She laughed, the sound light and carefree, and I was struck again by how much I loved her.

My hands lingered on her waist as I helped her climb into the truck. She settled onto the mattress, and I grabbed the cooler before joining her.

"Snacks?" I offered, popping the lid open.

Natalie peeked inside, grinning. "Ooh, Junior Mints!"

"Of course. And some of that fancy cheese you like. Oh, and..." I reached into the cooler, pulling out a bottle with a flourish. "Ta-da! Apple cider."

She laughed again, shaking her head. "Look at you, thinking of everything."

I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers in a soft kiss. "I just want tonight to be perfect. It's a special day, after all."

She pulled back slightly, frowning as she met my gaze. "It is?"

"Yep. Ten years ago today, in this very spot, I told you I loved you for the first time. Love you more now than I did then." She smiled up at me, and I cleared my throat, reaching for the remote. "Now, you ready for some Cinderella magic?"

She snuggled closer, resting her head on my shoulder. "Hit it, Prince Charming."

The movie started to play. Natalie's warm weight settled against me and the scent of apple blossoms drifted on the night air.

But I wasn't watching the movie. I was watching her.

Munching on her popcorn.

Sipping her cider.

Smiling at the finely dressed mice on the projection screen.

The twinkle lights cast a soft glow on her skin, making her look almost ethereal in the darkness of the orchard.

"Stop staring, creep." Her eyes stayed fixed on the screen, but she poked me playfully with her foot.

"Sorry," I mumbled, not meaning it one bit. My eyes were still glued to her, drinking in every detail.

She turned to me, eyes narrowed in mock suspicion. "You're not."

"Nope," I admitted, popping the 'p' with a cheeky grin.

She giggled and leaned in, pressing her lips to mine. The kiss started soft, sweet, but it quickly turned into something more. My hand found its way to the back of her neck, pulling her closer as the heat between us built. The movie forgotten, all I could focus on was the feel of Natalie in my arms, her taste on my lips, and the knowledge that this moment, right here in the bed of my pickup under the stars, was damn near perfect.

And I would get to do this with her for the rest of my life.

Want to see how Elliot reacted to the news of the orchard’s financial troubles?

Read the bonus chapter from Elliot’s POV.

Also by Lauren Kiser

The Price of Love series

Interconnected standalone contemporary romance written under the pen name Elsie Kay

Fate’s Ambition

Time’s Surrender

Pain’s Liberation

About the Author

Lauren Kiser is making the contemporary romance genre a little bit sweeter—and a whole lot steamier. Navigating life from the driver's seat of her minivan, this Midwest mom of two transforms the daily grind into sizzling adventures, capturing the hearts of readers who like their love stories with a side of sass.

Lauren has previously written The Price of Love series under the pen name Elsie Kay.

laurenkiserbooks.com