Wren Beckett is ready for a fresh start.

She’s back in her hometown, back at the job she loves, and finally close to family after years away. And the cherry on top? She’s living just down the street from Carson Matthews—her brother’s grumpy best friend and the man she’s been quietly in love with since forever.

Carson’s made a habit of keeping Wren at arm’s length. She’s sunshine and soft edges; he’s structure and sharp lines. But when her people-pleasing starts to take its toll, he steps in—ready to teach her how to say no, how to stand up for herself, and...

Wren Beckett is ready for a fresh start.

She’s back in her hometown, back at the job she loves, and finally close to family after years away. And the cherry on top? She’s living just down the street from Carson Matthews—her brother’s grumpy best friend and the man she’s been quietly in love with since forever.

Carson’s made a habit of keeping Wren at arm’s length. She’s sunshine and soft edges; he’s structure and sharp lines. But when her people-pleasing starts to take its toll, he steps in—ready to teach her how to say no, how to stand up for herself, and maybe even how to indulge the dark little fantasies she’s never dared speak out loud.

He’s supposed to protect her. Not want her.

She’s supposed to move on. Not fall harder.

But the more time they spend together, the blurrier the lines become. And when boundaries start to break, so do all the rules.

They’re just friends. They’ve always been just friends.

Until one touch turns into something neither of them can pretend to forget.

She was everything he couldn’t have.

He was everything she couldn’t stop wanting.