Ethan

It had been thirty days since I came home—a month spent trying to wrap my mind around everything that had changed and everything that hadn't. Tonight, Derek had convinced me to join him for dinner at Ma's, a local diner that had served as the town's social hub for decades. I wasn't avoiding my old friends; I just didn't know what to say. Coming back to Hollowbrook was something I'd never expected, and it felt surreal.

After my last deployment, the army cut me loose. Ten years I had given them, but I was no longer the soldier they wanted. My mind was still a battlefield, and every time I closed my eyes, I was back there—my brothers, the mission gone wrong, the cage that trapped me. I tried to smooth my uniform, taking a deep breath as I prepared to face my old life, even if just for a few hours.

"Ethan, I want you to meet my friend Connor. He's from New York and sells real estate," Derek said, motioning to a young man beside him. Connor nodded at me. Derek had mentioned his friend was coming to scout out a space in town, and I could use some help finding a place to live. Staying with my parents wasn't ideal, but it would work for now. I mainly spent my time at a hotel or the police station, so having a place to lay my head would be nice. But after a decade of service, I had no idea what I was looking for anymore.

"Nice to meet you, sir. Thank you for your service," Connor said, extending his hand. I took it, letting the compliment roll off me like water. I was tired of the questions—settling down, getting married, being the new sheriff. When I returned home, the family house had been waiting for me. My dad had died in the line of duty a year before my last tour, and my sister had moved out with her husband months ago.

I was happy for her; she deserved that joy. But the house felt empty without them. It had been my dad and sister for so long, and losing him had shattered her. I wanted to sell the house but couldn't shake the feeling that it would betray their memories.

"Anyway, it'll be packed at Ma's on a Friday night. You sure you're up for this?" Derek asked, eyeing me as we drove. I nodded. I needed to get back to knowing the townsfolk, and people-watching was only one part of that.

As we entered the diner moments later, I was hit by a wave of nostalgia. It was as if nothing had changed. The familiar 50s décor was decked out for Halloween, music, and laughter filling the air.

"Hi, welcome to—Well, I'll be damned! Is that little Ethan Brooks?" A woman's voice broke through the noise, pulling me into a bear hug. You would think a six-foot-three man would be the one doing the squeezing, but Susan was a mother figure to everyone, and her hugs felt like coming home.

"Good to see you, Ma'am," I replied, hugging her back. She pulled away to take a good look at me, her eyes shining with warmth. "Good to see you back in town, but also taking up the mantle for your father..." The unspoken words hung in the air: He would be proud. I knew how much my parents had given to this town, and knowing I was still giving back eased some of my guilt.

"Let me get you all a seat," she said, grabbing the menus and leading us toward a booth. Just as we rounded the corner, a familiar laugh pierced through the chatter.

I could only see the back of her—curly hair cascading down, wild and free. But I'd know that laugh anywhere. Breaking from my friends, I stepped closer to the booth just as the second girl turned to look at me, her expression shocked.

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"Abby..."

"Addy... it's—"

I cut off the second girl's words, the name I hadn't uttered in a decade escaping my lips. "Adeline?"

The way she tensed told me she hadn't expected to see me, but the shiver that ran through her body ignited a flicker of joy inside me. Had she really missed me? A part of me reveled in the idea. Her refusal to meet my gaze, however, was a stark reminder of our history—the last time we'd seen each other.

"Pumpkin?" I called out, using the childhood nickname I had given her. Her head snapped up, fire igniting in those emerald eyes. She had matured into a striking woman, her caramel skin glowing under the diner lights.

"Hi, Ethan..." Her tone was steady, but her eyes betrayed a mixture of surprise and anger. Fair enough; we had a lot to unpack.

"Good to see you, Pumpkin... Who's your friend?" I asked, resting my arms on the back of the booth, my focus shifting to the blonde girl next to her.

"Abby..." the girl said. "You probably don't remember me, but I'm—"

"Derek's little sister, right? I'm still getting used to the town. Everyone's changed or moved away." I turned back to Adeline, who seemed to be putting distance between us, and that rubbed me the wrong way.

"Why don't you join us?" Abby chimed in, and I saw Adeline's face pale, her eyes widening.

*** *** ***

Adeline

I wanted to kill Abby, but at the same time, I was grateful for her brazen attempt to ease the tension. Ethan Brooks—the man who had broken my heart and yet lingered in my thoughts—was too close for comfort. I could smell his familiar scent—mahogany and pine—and it sent a rush of warmth through me.

His gaze pulled me in like a current, and when he called me "Pumpkin," I felt myself melt despite the anger simmering within. I glanced up at him, his stormy blue eyes now deeper, full of shadows from his past. The boy I had known had transformed into a man—dangerous and undeniably handsome. His rugged appearance reminded me of the dark heroes from the romance novels I couldn't resist.

I needed to get my act together. The way he looked at me stirred something deep inside, igniting a flame I thought had long been extinguished.

As he leaned in, stealing a fry from my plate, I swatted his hand away, feigning annoyance.

"Well..." I finally said, turning to glare at Abby. "Too bad. Enjoy your dinner, and I'll see you around." I tried to sound nonchalant, but my heart raced at the thought of him leaving.

"Adeline..." he warned, his voice low and rough, sending shivers down my spine. I needed to rein in my feelings; I couldn't let him affect me this way.

I took a bite of my burger to buy myself time, glancing over at Abby, who was busy stealing glances at Connor. I felt abandoned as Ethan moved closer, crossing his arms and displaying muscles that seemed too big for his police uniform. He looked like trouble, and I found myself drawn to him despite everything.

"Listen, Ethan, it's great seeing you, but I'm trying to hang out with my friend," I said, letting my voice drop to a whisper.

He raised an eyebrow, a familiar challenge in his gaze. His attention flickered to the empty seat across from me, and I cursed under my breath. Abby was going to pay for this.

I sighed, glancing behind me to see Abby talking animatedly with the two men. I turned back to Ethan, locking eyes with him. It was strange; even in silence, I could feel the weight of our history between us.

"We both know that's not true. I shouldn't have—"

His words were cut short by the crackle of his walkie-talkie. He looked at me for a moment, torn between duty and desire, before standing up. His eyes darkened, filled with unspoken words, and I could sense he wanted to finish our conversation.

"This isn't over, Adeline. We have a lot to talk about," he said, striding out the door, leaving me with a heart heavy with longing.

At that moment, I was reminded of the girl I had been—the one who had watched the boy who shattered her heart walk away. Even at thirty-one, the pain still lingered.