Chapter 1

Erica

"Are you kidding me?" I screech, slamming my hand on the steering wheel. In front of me, smoke curls up from the hood of my car as my car puttered along.

Pulling over to the road's shoulder is no feat considering the road is basically empty. I've passed so few cars on my way in that you'd think no one lives here. That was nice when my car was working. Not so nice now that I'm standing on the side of the road with a smoking car and no cell service.

Of course, this happens now. Right as I'm driving back to the one place I swore I'd never set foot in again—Cherrywood Village.

Groaning as I shove my useless phone back into my pocket, I pope the hood and hop out of the car and go to look under it. Already knowing I have no business messing around with a broken-down car since I definitely don't know shit about cars, I lift the hood like I'm going to magically understand what the hell is going on under there. A wave of hot, smoky air hits my face, and I step back, fanning it away.

"Oh, just great," I mutter, staring at the steaming mess like it might fix itself if I stare hard enough.

Seven years. I haven't been back to this little blip of a town in seven years, and this is the kind of welcome I get? Smoke and busted engines on the side of the road. Talk about a bad omen. Not that I'm superstitious or anything, but come on. Stuck in the middle of nowhere with no reception? Perfect.

No reception means no AAA. No help.

Just me, the empty road, and a broken-down car.

Just as I'm about to throw my phone into the woods out of frustration, I hear the rumble of a truck coming up the road. My heart sinks for a second, hoping to God it's not some creep when I see a beat-up, old red truck roll up. For a split second, I wonder if I'm about to get murdered by a serial killer. But then all thoughts of murder slip from my mine when the truck pulls over a few feet ahead of me, and the door creaks open. A man steps out, and I swear to God, I almost do a double take.

He's older—definitely in his forties—but hot. Like, real hot. Salt-and-pepper beard, strong jaw, broad shoulders. A silver fox, basically. He's wearing a faded t-shirt with the sleeves stretch tight over his biceps. His jeans were worn-in nicely and hugged his thighs deliciously.

Get it together, Erica, I think to myself vehemently. The man's probably married. Or divorced. But still definitely spoken for. Still…nothing wrong with looking right? Not like I'm going to throw myself at the first hot guy I see in this town.

He walks towards me, glancing over my car before looking at me. "Looks like you've got a problem."

"Yeah," I say, unable to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. "That's one way to put it."

He flashes a quick grin and I'm immediately enamored.

"Mind if I take a look?" he asks, already reaching for the hood.

I step aside, watching as he tinkers with a few things under the hood. Not that I know what he's doing, but he seems to know his way around an engine.

After a couple minutes, he stands back up, wiping his hands on his jeans. "Your radiator's probably shot. You're not going anywhere with this thing."

"Great," I mutter, leaning against the car. "Just what I needed."

"I can get you help. My buddy, Steven, is a mechanic and owns a shop not too far up the road," he offers, jerking his thumb toward his truck. "Hop in. I'll drive you to his shop and he can send out a tow from there."

I pause, weighing my options. It's either that or sit on the side of the road like an idiot waiting for some miracle.

"Yeah, alright. Thanks."

He nods and heads towards the truck. "Name's Theo, by the way. I work down at the fire station."

I try to place the name in my childhood memory of this place. Cherrywood Village is so small, I wouldn't be surprised if I did know him. Thankfully I don't though. It's the kind of place where everyone knows each other. Or, at least, that's how it used to be when I lived here. Hopefully no one remembers me.

"I'm Erica," I say, climbing up into the truck's cab. "Thanks again for helping me out."

"No problem," Theo replies, settling in the driver's seat and turning the key. The engine roars to life, and we're back on the road.

The inside of the truck is nice. Old, but clean. It smells like oil, cedarwood, and something else that's distinctly masculine. I don't know why I expected it to be gross and messy, but it's not. It's actually kind of comforting.

"So," Theo says after a minute of driving, "you visiting someone in town?"

I shrug, staring out the window. "Not exactly. I'm just here to deal with some stuff. My parents passed away recently."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that."

I glance over at him, but his eyes are still on the road. His voice is low, deep. The kind of voice that makes you want to listen. I can't help but like the sound of it.

"Thanks." I accept his condolences, even though I don't really feel much about my parents' deaths. I didn't have a great relationship with them, but it's not like I'm going to dump my whole life story on this random guy.

"So, you're not from around here?" Theo asks, glancing over at me with a curious look.

"I was. I lived here until I was thirteen. Moved to Richmond after that."

"Ah. That explains it."

"Explains what?"

"I didn't recognize you."

"Yeah, well it's been a long time."

And thank God for that. If this town's still the same as it was seven years ago, I'd rather stay under the radar. Cherrywood Village wasn't exactly my favorite place to grow up, but it's where I have to be for now. Sort out my parents' mess, then get the hell out. That's the plan.

Theo doesn't push for more, which I appreciate. We settle into a comfortable silence, and I find myself sneaking glances at him when he's not looking. There's something about him. Something solid, steady, and damn if he isn't easy on the eyes.

The road stretches out in front of us, winding through the familiar hills and trees. Even though I haven't been back in years, it all feels the same. The same sleepy town, the same old roads. Nothing really changes here.

We pull up to a small garage, and Theo parks the truck, cutting the engine. "Here we are," he says, getting out and walking around to unhook my car.

I hop out of the truck, feeling a little out of place in this quiet, dusty little mechanic's shop.

As I look around the small garage, another figure steps out from behind the truck. He's wiping his hands on a greasy rag, and when he straightens up, I get my first good look at him. This must be Steven.

He's rugged in that all-American, works-with-his-hands kind of way—broad shoulders, rough beard, and eyes that are as sharp as they are friendly. I give him a polite smile, but when Theo walks around the truck, my gaze instinctively shifts back to him. It's not like Steven's lacking in the looks department—he's definitely got the whole "rugged mechanic" thing down—but compared to Theo? No contest. There's just something about Theo's quiet confidence, the way he carries himself, that feels...familiar.

"Steven, meet Erica. Erica, Steven," Theo greets, clapping Steven on the shoulder in a way that speaks to years of friendship.

"Nice to meet you," Steven says with a wide smile thrown my way. "What brought y'all over here?'

Before I can say anything, Theo jumps in again. "Her car crapped out on the side of the road. Think you can take a look?"

Steven flashes me an easy grin, nodding. "Sure thing. I'll tow it into the shop and get started. Or Theo will, knowing him." He gives Theo a teasing look.

Theo chuckles, crossing his arms. "You know I can't resist tinkering with cars when I've got downtime from the firehouse."

Steven laughs, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. You'd have me out of business if you didn't already have your hands full saving lives." He turns back to me. "Don't worry, Erica. I'll get you fixed up in no time. If Theo's helping, even quicker."

"Thanks," I say, still feeling a bit out of place but grateful. The easy camaraderie between them is clear, like they've been friends forever.

Theo's smile softens as he glances at me. "I'll be around to help when I can. I always liked getting my hands dirty with cars. Helps clear the head."

I feel a flutter in my chest, but quickly push it down. "I appreciate it, really."

"Where's the car?" Steven asks, looking between the two of us."

"Right at the last exit before you get to Old Man Kev's place," Theo answers. Steven nods, clearly knowing exactly where the other man means.

"Oh, great. Not far." He turns to me. "I'll take a closer look at the car tomorrow. It's too late to start tonight. You got a ride home?"

"Um," I trail off, realizing that no, in fact, I do not have a ride home. I know next to no one in this town anymore. Couldn't call somebody up to drive me if I wanted to. Plus, Cherrywood Village is definitely too small for Uber.

"I've got you," Theo jumps in easily. "Where you staying?"

"Yeah, I'm staying at my parents' old place while I sort through it all."

"Okay, I don't mind taking you home, and we can get dinner—"

"Oh my god!" A voice I vaguely recognize squeals. My name follows and just as I turn my head to look, a slender body crashes into mine. "Erica, it's been too long!"

I wrap my arms around the body out of instinct and when the person pulls away and I catch a glimpse of the face, a genuine smile breaks over my face.

"Joy! How are you?"

"I'm good! I was coming by to see if Steven could check my brake lights real quick." She shoots a pleading look at the man and he just grins.

"How do you two know each other?" Theo interrupts the moment, a furrow between his brows.

"Oh, we go way back, dad." Everything comes to a screeching halt.

"Wait," I interject, "Theo's your dad?"

Theo's officially off limits.

Great.