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Taylor bit down on a cookie and all sorts of good things happened in her mouth. “These are fantastic. Your mom’s recipe?”

“Of course. Hey, I saw how you changed the subject. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

“Okay, guilty as charged, but the cookies really are delicious.”

“Thanks. So, what did you think of Coop?” Julie asked matter-of-factly.

“Coop? I’ve only spent a few minutes with him. Chasing Muffy.” She rolled her eyes. “And using him as a human shield. Made quite an impression, I’m sure.”

“You two were best friends once upon a time. Yet, you rarely asked about him or wanted to know what was happening in his life. And, remember, it’s me you’re talking to.”

Meaning, no bluffing. “I didn’t ask about him, because…well, there was no reason to dredge up the past. We’d fallen in love on my last summer here and it was absolutely dreamy. First loves and all that. But the hard truth is I left him for my career and I know I hurt him.”

“You were just kids, Taye. Hardly grown up enough to know what you were feeling.”

“Are you saying I didn’t break his heart?”

“Uh, well…” Julie’s voice surged up an octave. “That did happen.”

“See? I spent quite a few years feeling horrible about that. And after coming back here, he’s the first person I run into.”

“Must be fate,” Julie teased.

“Must be small towns. Hardly a day goes by when you don’t run into somebody you know. It was what made Last Stand so different than New York. Everyone seems to know each other. Everyone is friendly. Not so much in my town.”

“Personally, I’m glad Coop’s back,” Julie said. “He and Miguel hit it off right away when Coop returned last year. He’s a really good friend and…”

“And?”

“And quite a hunk.”

“I haven’t noticed.” Those big strong arms, wide shoulders and blue river eyes.

Julie bit into another cookie. “Okay, have it your way. But just think how cool it would be if you two—”

“Uh-uh. Don’t even go there. I’m here for your wedding and to figure out my next career move…that’s if I even have a career anymore.”

Miguel and Coop walked into the kitchen. “Wow, smells like your mom’s famous chocolate chip cookies in here,” Coop said. “Am I right?”

Julie pointed to the empty seats at the table. “Sit down and find out for yourself. I’ll get you some iced tea.”

“I won’t say no,” Coop said, taking a seat. “Mind if I take one home for Cassie?”

“Sure. I’ll pack you a goodie bag before you leave,” Julie said. “Give some to your dad too.”

“Thanks.”

“So,” Miguel began, taking the last seat at the table. “Looks like Coop is ready to break ground in two days.”

“Two days? That’s great news,” Julie said, pouring two glasses of iced tea. “I’m pretty jazzed about it.”

“Yeah, first thing we’ll do is get the demolition crew to take down the gazebo.”

Taylor locked gazes with him and, for a brief moment, she knew what he was thinking, what she was witnessing in his eyes. Over the years, the gazebo had become something special to them—the promises they’d made to one another, the place they’d first kissed. The place they said their heart-wrenching final goodbye. All of that flashed between them, a lightning rod of memories striking with quick precision. And then, it was gone, as quickly as it had come as both looked away.

“Coop will have it up before the wedding, honey,” Miguel said.

“I hope to. If the weather holds. We should have it done in a couple of weeks.”