Crossing Paths

travel bag, hesitating for a moment before stepping onto the platform. A gust of crisp air tugged at her coat, carrying with it the familiar scents of

e. The thought lingered in her mind like a bitter aftertaste. But after the disastrous fallout w

oughts. Her childhood best friend looked unchanged, with her wild blonde curls e

knocked the air out of her. "Look at you! All fancy and city-c

f her mouth twitching upward. "You'

ppraise her. "And heels. In *Riverbend.* Girl, you're luc

ruck. "Can we skip the commentary an

ight, alright. Grumpy already. Let's get you s

with mom-and-pop shops, their wooden signs swinging gently in the breeze. The bakery still had its si

t of her situation. Her mentor had called the library restoration project a "golden opportunity." She'd sold it as a chance t

verie. "You're doing that thing where you stare o

ead. "Nothing. Ju

Well, don't get too cozy in your pity par

ne façade. Emily stepped out, her heels clicking against the cobblestones, and surveyed her temporary home. It w

an old-fashioned brass key. Lily helped haul her suitca

grinning. "It's got character. You

ed to her friend. "You're awfully optimisti

a conspiratorial wink. "

-

s worse than s

morning. The once-grand building stood in a sorry state, its facade barely holding onto a sense of d

ed her inspection. "We

ruck, tool belt slung low on his hips and a cocky smirk plastered across his face. He hadn't ch

curtly, keeping h

e you back in Riverbend. Thought you w

see you still here

g. "Touché. Small towns aren

m get under her skin. "Are you just here to gloat,

trolling up beside her. "Looks l

toward him. "Yo

entirely too pleased with himself. "G

sing her luck. Of all the people in River

ing her eyes at him. "I'm here to do a job. I do

ax, city girl. I'm just here to swing a hammer

e he could see how much he was getting to he

d, a teasing edge to his t

-

ring Jake's constant presence. He seemed to take every opportunity to needle h

she was thoroughly exhausted. Lily was waiting f

through the wringer," Lily

ered, sinking into an arm

olding onto that high

mily insisted. "He's j

rug. "Jake's one of the best contractors ar

the warmth soothe her frayed n

thing tells me this is going to be