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CHAPTER TWO

HARLOW

“ H ey, sleepyhead. Time to wake up.” Molly nudged my arm gently.

I blinked my eyes open and pressed a hand to the back of my neck. I had a slight ache from my head being positioned against the window for almost five hours.

“Where are we?” I asked, sitting up and squinting through the windshield.

“See for yourself.” She pointed to the green and yellow sign: Welcome to Marcellus Falls.

An equal part of nerves and nostalgia hit me at once. The sign alone was enough to send a flood of memories rushing back. Summers spent soaking up the sun by the lake, bonfires at night, strolls down the main drive, and concerts in the park.

And of course, him. We would joke about how we never crossed paths until that summer. My mom’s house was tucked away, on the other side of the lake, where it was quiet. We ran in different circles and led different lives until that night.

Marcellus Falls wasn’t just a town to me; it was a piece of my heart. It was also where I found my first love and experienced my first heartbreak. Every corner, street, and building held a memory of some sort. By the looks of it, this place hasn’t changed much in five years.

As we cruised through the center of town, we passed by Clover’s Diner, the place where my mom and I would spend Sunday mornings after church. It was our special spot. Now, it was closed and another reminder of all that I lost.

The feeling of nostalgia faded the second we turned off Lakeshore Road. Instead of turning right toward the lake, Molly took a left, heading up a hill. I sat up in my seat as we pulled into a curved driveway.

The structure in front of me was enormous. Long windows, oversized doors, beautiful stone accents, and a wrap-around porch with a wooden swing.

This rustic one-story home screamed Brooks Dawson. It was exactly the kind of house I pictured him living in.

My breathing became rapid. She wouldn’t, would she?

“Where are we?”

“Before you kill me. This is the best option.”

My fingers dug into my arms. “No.”

“Hear me out.”

I swung my gaze to hers. “I’m never trusting you again.”

She sighed, rubbing her temples like she was the one who was emotionally drained. “You have no clothes, no necessities, and no money. This is only temporary until we can get you settled into the lake house.”

“Are you out of your damn mind?”

There had to be an alternative place for me to stay. I picked up my phone and started scrolling, looking for options, but then I remembered that I couldn’t book anything. Not without a damn credit card.

I looked through the windshield again. There was a neatly stacked pile of firewood by the garage door. Maybe I could build a fire and rough it outdoors for the night. As I scanned the woods, all I saw was pitch black. I shivered because that was how people died in horror movies.

There were too many creatures with beady little eyes and sharp teeth that would view me as a snack. I wasn’t a nature person; I wouldn’t last five minutes.

I was still in my wedding dress and in need of a nice hot shower and a comfortable bed.

“Come on, I’ll walk you in.”

“Wait,” I said as she stepped out of the car. “Is he okay with me staying here?”

Molly’s hands froze on the door. She didn’t move.

“Molly?” I asked sternly. “Does he know about this plan?”

“It will be fine. I promise.”

“Oh, my God!” I slapped my hands against my thighs. “You didn’t even ask him, did you?”

“I wouldn’t do this if I had another choice.”

I looked back at the woods again. “I think I’d rather get eaten by a fox.”

She rolled her eyes. “You are so dramatic. Foxes don’t eat people.”

“You are the worst best friend,” I muttered.

“Right now, I’m your only friend. Now let’s get this little reunion over with.”

I threw my head back against the seat and groaned. “This is a terrible idea.”

She stepped out of the car and marched up to the front of the house, leaving me trailing behind her. I clutched the bottom of my dress, trying to match her speed, and prayed for divine intervention.

Molly knocked, and we stood under the dim light over the door. My heart pounded as I glanced nervously at Molly. She tried to give me a reassuring smile, but it fell flat. So damn flat, I almost booked my butt back to the car.

Before I could get my feet to move, the door swung open.

I glanced up and swallowed hard. Jesus, why did he have to be so handsome?

Strong jaw.

Kissable lips.

Dark brown eyes that reminded me of the forest and were just as dangerous.

Even in the dark, it was clear he hadn’t changed much. He looked exactly the same, but there was an edge to him that wasn’t there before.

I always imagined what it would be like to see him again. And as I tipped my head back to stare up at him, I felt those familiar goose bumps break out along my skin.

Brooks Dawson would always be the boy who owned my heart and soul.

I wrung my hands in front of me, wondering how this would play out.

His eyes flicked from Molly to me, narrowing when they landed on my face. I could see him processing the absurdity of the situation.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

Oh, he was pissed.

Molly, bless her soul, stepped in front of me. “She needs a place to stay.”

He looked me up and down with disdain in his eyes that he didn’t even bother trying to hide. “This isn’t a damn homeless shelter. This is my home.”

“Seriously?” Molly parked her hands on her hips and stared up at him. “As you can see, she’s had a really rough day.”

He crossed his arms, his eyes not leaving mine for a second. “Not my problem.”

I wasn’t sure what she thought would happen, but I could have predicted this. “Molly. It’s fine. I’ll just crash on your couch.”

“Harlow. There is no reason for you to sleep on my couch. Emma is up at the butt crack of dawn and Brooks has bedrooms that never get used. You need to rest, and you won’t have any peace and quiet if you stay with me.”

While she had some valid points, I had a feeling that wasn’t the driving force of her decision to bring me here. Of all places. To a man who hated me.

The muscle in his jaw ticked. “She isn’t staying here.”

Molly leaned forward, unfazed by his attitude. “I know you’re mad that I just showed up like this…”

He threw his hands out and cut her off. “Mad? I’m not mad. I am furious. You honestly thought dropping her off on my doorstep like a stray dog without so much as a call or text to give me a heads-up would be a good idea?”

“I didn’t know where else to bring her.”

I finally reached my limit. “Would you both please stop talking about me like I’m not standing right here?”

He cocked his head to the side. “I don’t like being blindsided. I thought you would remember that by now.”

He was referring to when I told him that my dad had my future husband all picked out for me, and it wasn’t him. I guess he was still bitter about that.

“And I don’t like feeling like some charity case. I’d rather sleep outside on a bed of rocks than listen to this.”

Brooks stepped forward. His smile was all teeth. “I’m sure the wolves would love the company.”

Molly pushed on his shoulder gently. “Don’t frighten her. There are no wolves in the woods.”

He crossed his feet at the ankles. “Fine. Coyotes.”

Now, I was getting irritated. Did he think I wanted to be here any more than he did?

I lifted my chin, not even trying to hide my little attitude. I’ve had a shitty day, and at this point, I’d rather sleep with the wolves and coyotes. They would be better company.

I turned to my friend. “I can sleep in your car if I have to.”

“Perfect.” Brooks stepped back. “Problem solved.”

Molly groaned. “You two are impossible.”

I shook my head, glancing at the porch swing. It was a nice swing. It looked sturdy and a hell of a lot more inviting than the bitter man standing in front of me. “It’s fine, Molly. I’ll figure something else out.”

“No,” she snapped. “Look, I get it. This isn’t ideal, but it’s one night, Brooks.

Please. She has nowhere else to go. Look at her…

” She pointed to me, standing there in my wedding dress.

He studied me, as if taking in every tiny detail.

His gaze lingered, like he wasn’t sure what to do with me.

“She didn’t plan this. She ran from the church and called me for help.

Just let her stay for the night. She is having her things sent in the morning. ”

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “What about the lake house?”

Molly shook her head. “Her key is back in New York, and the electricity and water have been shut off. Nothing can be done until morning.”

His shoulders dropped in defeat. I had to hand it to Molly; she was relentless, which made her a really good attorney.

“Fine. One night,” he snapped.

“Can you at least try to be nice?” Molly barked back.

He scoffed. “Don’t you dare lecture me on being nice. You’re the one who dropped her off here without even asking if I was okay with it.”

She threw her hands up. “Because I knew you would say no.”

He leaned against the doorframe. “You’re lucky that your husband is my best friend.”

Molly beamed, clearly happy that she had won this round. “I’m sorry for springing this on you at the last minute.”

“Save it,” he grumbled. “Next time, give me a damn warning. And don’t think for one second that I’m happy about this.”

“Hello.” I waved my arms in the air. “May I remind you both again that I’m standing right here?”

Molly gripped my elbow gently. “Sorry, Harlow. I just want to make sure that you’re going to be okay tonight. I know this isn’t ideal, but it’s only temporary.”

He shoved a hand through his hair. “Damn right, it’s temporary.”

Brooks wasn’t exactly known for his forgiving nature. I had a feeling this little arrangement would test both of our patience. Still, I was relieved that he was letting me stay.

“Thank you, Brooks. I promise to be out of your hair tomorrow. I won’t stay one more second past my welcome.”

“Of course, you won’t, because leaving is what you do best.” He pushed off the doorframe and stormed back inside the house.

I looked up at the sky and said a quick prayer, asking for patience and maybe a small miracle.