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Scanning the parking lot, my breath caught at the sight of Blue Betsy—Carson’s old Ford truck. He’d rebuilt and painted it himself and treated it like gold.

Those butterflies in my stomach came alive. I knew full well how manyfirst timeswe’d had in that truck together, although we never went “all the way.” Nope, my virginity stayed intact until the first jerk I’d dated in college.

A wave of nostalgia hit as the scent of brisket drifted in the air. String lights blurred against the darkening sky. It didn’t matter who the party was for—anyone could stop in and say hey. That was small town living.

Surely I’d run into Carson here.

Without thinking, I spun the car around in the middle of the street and parked.

Unfolding from the driver’s seat, I stretched long. Caught my reflection in the window and fluffed my hair. I smoothed my blue and white striped seersucker dress with both hands, which was more fitting for a garden party at the Hamptons than a hometown barbecue.

I’d have loved to change, or at least ditched these proper white flats for a pair of cowboy boots, just so I wouldn’t look so preppy, but this would have to do. Suddenly, I was anxious—itching—to make my grand re-entrance into the town I used to call home.

I headed down the stone path toward the crowd, picking up speed. My eyes scanned every face, every group, searching for the cutestboy next doorever. Carson Goodson—voted exactly that in our senior yearbook.

A man brushed past me, lugging a galvanized tub of ice and beer bottles, nearly knocking me off the path. I glared after him—used to that kind of treatment in New York, but here?

Wait. That walk... those faded Wrangler jeans... my heart skipped.

“Carson?” I called.

The man turned.

Only—it wasn’t Carson.

“Lacey?” Hudson blinked, almost stumbling upon seeing me, carrying the heavy tub like it weighed nothing in those muscular arms. I should have known. Carson had never been as built as him, with those broad shoulders.

“Hudson! Hi. How are you?” I croaked, moving toward him.

His gaze swept over me like he couldn’t believe I’d appeared out of thin air. I did the same to him. Considering he was what… seven years older than me? I’d dated some older men in New York, so the age gap was of no consequence—wait, why was I even thinking of Hudson like this?

Since he seemed tongue-tied, I supplied the basics. “I just got into town tonight. I’ll be here a while. At least through the summer. Maybe longer. I don’t know.”

“What? Wow, that’s... great.” He shifted the tub and glanced toward the party. “Did Carson know you were coming?”

“No. Thought I’d surprise everyone. So... surprise.” I chuckled, nervously waving my hands. This was probably the most Hudson and I had ever spoken in some time.

As the eldest Goodson brother, forced to always look after us when we were younger, he did it with a scowling face. The quiet one. The responsible one. Carson and I used to call him theGrumpy one—like one of Snow White’s dwarves. The seven Goodson brothers each had their own quirks, and we’d given each a nickname.

“Big surprise.” He darted another glance to the group behind him. That’s when my eyes followed—and landed on the sign.

Happy Engagement, Carson and?—

“Emme? Who thehellis Emme?” My breath caught. Another crushed moment. Another reminder that I didn’t know what theeffI was doing with my life.

“Uh, I think you’d better come with me.” Hudson tipped his head. Numb, I followed.

Whispers started as I passed through the crowd.

That Lacey Andrews? Come back to cause a scene?

Poor Lacey doesn’t stand a chance next to Emme.

Oh good. Just what this town needs—drama.

But they were all wrong.

Face-to-face with Carson as Hudson set the beers down, I saw how happy he looked. And one glance at the beautiful woman beside him explained why.