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I force a laugh, but it’s hollow. “I don’t know. I didn’t expect to cross paths with him again.”

She narrows her eyes. “You’re over him, right? You told me you are.”

I scoff. “So over him. Just a little taken aback is all.”

Before I can respond, my phone rings. I glance down at it, and my heart almost stops when I seeMom.

I answer it, trying to sound normal, but her voice cuts straight to the point. I already know why she’s calling. News spread fast in this town.

“Mia, is it true Ryan’s back in town?” she asks, a little too eagerly. “You should invite him to dinner. I’d love to catch up with him. It’s been forever.”

My family doesn’t know the real reason Ryan and I broke up. They thought it was a mutual understanding.

“Mom,” I groan. “No. That’s not happening. The man has hardly taken a deep breath since being in town, and now you want to invite him over.”

“He knows the family,” Mom insists. “I’m sure he won’t mind. Plus, the poor thing is probably dying for a home-cooked meal.”

“I literally just saw him.” I slide Emma a glance. She’s laughing so hard she almost falls off her chair. “He doesn’t look like he’s dying for anything. He looks good.”

“Oh, he looks good,” Mom gasps. “I knew it, I knew you still liked him! I’ll just go ahead and invite him over then.”

“Mom—”

“Bye, dear!”

I’m stunned for a moment. “What? Mom, no, you don’t?—”

But she’s already gone.

I stare at my phone for a few moments, at a loss for words. Did she really just do that?

“Well, I guess that settles it. You’re having dinner with Ryan. Such a cute family setup.”

“Stop.”

“What? I think it’ll be nice,” she says. “You need someone to get your mind off Jack. And who better to get your mind off one hot guy than another hot guy?” She winks. “I can’t wait to see how this unfolds.”

“Shut up, this is pure trouble,” I groan, hiding my laugh.

The door jingles again, and I glance up, expecting more customers. Instead, it’s Riley, the owner of the town’s hardware store. She steps into the shop, looking as casual as ever—flannel shirt, worn jeans, boots. Her look has always been more tomboyish, but that’s part of her charm.

“Well, well, well,” she says, grinning as she strolls in, “Look at this—two of my favorite ladies in one place.” She pauses, eyeing us both, and with a chuckle, adds, “This feels like a breath of fresh air after spending all day around men and hard tools.”

I can’t help but laugh. “That sounds like the perfect comparison,” I agree, my smile reaching my eyes.

Emma bursts out laughing, too, the sound light. “I can only imagine. It’s good to have a break from the daily grind.”

Riley walks over to the counter, her hands tucked in her pockets, exhaling a satisfied breath.

“I see you’re still up to your usual mischief,” she says to me. “What’s this I hear about an actor being in town? And then Ryan’s back? Seems like this is your season, girl.”

Riley has never been one to engage in small gossip, so I’m surprised she’s showing an interest. “It’s not what you think. It’s just my job, really. And Ryan,” I scoff. “I don’t care about that. The ship sailed a long time ago.”

Her face softens. “So, how’s everything? Ethan and I have been working in our own little corner of Bardstown and haven’t checked in on y’all in a minute.”

I chuckle. “Just keeping busy, Riley. You know how it goes. Same old stuff.”

“Right, same old, same old,” she says, crossing her arms, but her eyes twinkle a little. “And what’s your current book of the month about? Aunt Dotty is so invested. Stopped by this morning, and she forgot to tend to her gardening because she was reading.”