Chapter One

Joy

Two years earlier…

My fingers nervously turn the straw wrapper over and over, twisting and contorting it as I try to think of something to say. What do you say to a guy who clearly lost all interest when you said you didn't plan to go home with him?

Why the hell was I even still here? God, I should've just left and called my dad to come get me. Actually, I should have never agreed to George picking him up. I should've driven myself, like I always do when I force myself out onto a date. But, I thought this one would be different. Pre-med, sweet, charming…or at least he seemed like it when we met at the campus library. For days we've been texting back and forth and I had pretty much convinced myself that finally this one could be something special. I haven't had many dates—scratch that, I've barely had any. But I thought he was different.

Definitely not.

"So…" I start, trying to break the silence, "How's your semester going? Medical school must be tough, huh?"

He lets out a deep sigh and puts his fork down. "Look, I don't want to be rude, but I feel like we aren't on the same page here. I thought we both wanted a nice time out and a fun night to follow it up. I don't know what got lost in communication, but I'm not looking for a relationship."

I blink, my brain short-circuiting. My cheeks burn as I search for words, not sure how to respond. "Uh…no that wasn't what I was looking for."

I also want to add that is not how he made it seem in his texts. At no point did he say he just wanted to hook-up. All he did was talk about how excited he was to take me out and show so much interest in me studying to be a nurse and talking about how perfect we fit together. How did it turn into him just wanting a hook-up?

"Well, now that we're both on the same page. Do you want to get out of here or do you want to just call it a night?"

Oh great. My options are spread my legs or end the date. Guess I know which one I'm choosing.

"We can call it a night."

He stares me down for a second and I fight not to wiggle in my seat. "Very well. You can get a ride home right? Your place was kind of out of the way for me."

Wow, Joy. You sure know how to pick them.

"Yeah, I got it."

"Cool," he says as he slides out of the booth, grabbing his jacket. "Look, some advice? Maybe be clear with guys early on that you have this whole hard to get thing going on. Most guys aren't looking to be your prince charming and you shouldn't waste our time." He reaches into his pocket and drops a few bills on the table. "Good luck with everything, though. I'll see you around."

And just like that, he's gone. He doesn't even look back; he just walks right out of the restaurant, leaving me alone with the humiliation clinging to my skin like a heavy coat.

I can't believe it. Tears prick my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. Not here. Not in public. This was already embarrassing enough and we are only a town over from Cherrywood. The last thing I need is for my humiliation to make it down the gossip line and back to my hometown. It'll probably already be all over the campus by Monday, so I might as well save myself some face.

I take a deep breath, willing myself to hold it together. But all I can think about is how stupid I feel, how I let myself believe this was going to be something.

Reaching for my phone, I quickly dial my dad's number. He's always there when I need him. He'll understand. He'll tell me that it's not my fault, that I deserve better.

After a few rings, his voice comes through, thick and slightly slurred. "Hey, sweetheart…what's up?"

My heart sinks again. I forgot he was out drinking with Steven tonight. "Hey, Dad," I say quietly, "I need a ride home. The date…didn't go well."

There's a pause on the other end. "Ah, damn. Sorry, baby girl. I've had a few drinks…can't drive. But Steven's here. I'll get him to come get you."

Steven never drinks. My dad says that he had a problem with alcohol when he was young and just out of the army. He's really health-conscious now.

I wipe at my eyes, nodding even though he can't see me. "Okay. Thanks. Love you."

"Love you too honey. Don't let that little shit get you down," he mumbles before hanging up.

I sit there for a second just trying to process everything, but when I start to feel the wait of eyes on me, I decide that staying at the place I got abandoned on a date is not the best choice. Mustering the dignity I have, I stand up and pull my jacket on over my little black dress.

Keeping my head down and stuffing my hands in my pockets, I walk out of the restaurant. Across the street, a small ice cream shop catches my eye. Steven will be at least thirty minutes getting here, so with a sigh, I make my way over there. Time to be a cliche dumped girl and bury my troubles in sugar. I sit there for a few more minutes, trying to process everything. The disappointment, the embarrassment, the ache in my chest from what George said. He made me feel like I was stupid for wanting something real, like it was foolish to wait for someone who would actually care about me. Was I being naive?

I ruminate over it long after I've bought and finished my ice cream. By the time Steven's truck pulls up and I make my way out of the shop, I'm convinced that it was my fault. I should've been clearer maybe. Or just not gotten my hopes up in the first place.

Steven catches sight of me through his rolled-down window and immediately hops out of the truck, making his way to the passenger side to open the door for me. I give him a small smile but don't say anything as I climb into the car, the door closing behind me.

"Hey, Joy," he says softly, sliding into the driver's seat. "Your dad said you needed a ride?"

I nod, not trusting my voice.

"You okay?" he asks, his eyes searching my face.

I open my mouth to respond, but instead, a sob escapes. I can't hold it in any longer. All the frustration, the hurt, it just spills out. Steven's eyes widen in concern, and without a word, he reaches across to me, pulling me into his arms. The warmth of his chest against mine is grounding, and I clutch onto him, letting the tears fall.

Steven holds me for who knows how long, letting me wet his flannel shirt with my tears and shushing the cries that fall from my lips. His presence is comforting, steady, and warm, and for the first time tonight, I feel like maybe I'm not completely alone.

Eventually, my tears dry and hiccups set in. Reluctantly, I pull away, rubbing under my eyes in a certainly failed attempt to tidy up what I know has to be a river of black mascara.

"You okay?" His eyes are kind and his handsome face is open and expressive, but the embarrassment sets in again, so I just nod.

Clearing my throat I say, "Yeah. Sorry."

"Don't be." He reaches out and smooths a stray piece of hair behind my ear. "I'm here anytime. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really," I answer honestly, my voice thick.

"That's okay," he murmurs. "You don't have to explain right now. Let's just get you out of here."

The truck rumbles to life and I can't help but stare out the window, the quiet hum of the engine and the occasional streetlight passing by doing little to distract me from the weight in my chest. True to his word, Steven doesn't press me anymore, just drives in silence, giving me the space I need.

But eventually, the tears come again, harder this time. My breath hitches as I try to hold them back, but I can't. Everything that happened at the restaurant just keeps replaying in my mind. All those things George said. The way he looked at me like I wasn't worth the effort.

Steven must notice because he pulls the truck off to the side of the road and cuts the engine. He turns toward me, his expression soft, but there's something intense in his eyes, something that makes my breath catch in my throat. I avert my eyes, fiddling with my fingers in my lap.

"Joy," he says, his voice low and gentle, "Look at me."

I hesitate, but finally, I meet his gaze again. His dark brown eyes are full of something I can't quite put into words. They're warm, but also fierce. Protective almost.

"You are so much more than whatever that idiot said or did to you tonight. You hear me?" He shifts closer, his hand resting on the back of my seat. "You deserve someone who's going to be there for you, who's going to take care of you the way you need to be taken care of. Someone who's going to see you for how amazing you are. Don't ever settle for less than that."

His words hit me in a way I wasn't expecting. They go straight to my core, filling me with something I've never felt before. And in that moment, everything shifts. I don't know how to explain it, but the way Steven looks at me, the way he speaks to me, it's like he sees me. Really sees me. And not just as his best friend's daughter.

I blink away the tears, my heart pounding in my chest as I try to process what's happening inside me. I've always liked Steven, always thought he was a good guy. But this is different. There's something electric between us now, something I didn't see before.

And suddenly, I realize it. I want him. Not just in a casual way, not just as a crush. I want him. In that moment, it's like my heart knows before my brain does. He's the one. The one I've been waiting for. And now, I can't imagine anyone else.

Steven reaches out and gently cups my cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "The right man he's going to be lucky to take care of you, Joy Marcer. So fucking lucky. Don't forget that."

I nod, my breath shaky, but I don't say anything. I can't. My throat feels tight, and I'm afraid that if I speak, I'll say something I shouldn't.

After what feels like forever, Steven lets out a deep breath and pulls back, starting the truck again. "Let's get you home."

The rest of the drive is quiet, but everything inside me feels different now. There's a tension in the air, a pull between us that I can't ignore. I sneak glances at him from the corner of my eye, my heart racing. And I know, deep down, that things will never be the same again.