Promises, Promises

Moving home to Kither Springs to help my sister with her baby wasn’t a hardship. I love being with my family, but a few months of sleeping on the couch really takes a toll on you. I desperately needed to move out, but while I was away, my hometown became ‘viral famous.’ A rush of people had clamored to our town, looking for a taste of small-town life, which means less housing. When an apartment finally becomes available, I’m not the only one interested in it, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing…

Many seasons have passed since I last saw Ryan. He used to visit Kither Springs in the summer, and though we only had those couple months together every year, he was my best friend… until the day we shared the most earth-shattering kiss over the fields we’d claimed as ours. Then he stopped answering my calls and never returned to town again. Now, a decade later, he’s back and looking even more breathtaking than in my memories. Feelings I thought I’d gotten over come rushing back. But Ryan didn't come back alone.

He stole my first kiss when he was ten, then my heart at fifteen. My crush was destined to lead to nowhere when our parents announced they’ve been dating and plan on marrying. Now they expect me to act like a family with the man I’ve been crushing on—my new stepbrother—and I can’t imagine a worst hell. But for them, I’ll do it. Even if every one of his smiles makes me fall in love a little more while also killing me inside.