I never moved on. I tried, but I couldn’t. I will spend my entire life loving her even if she’s determined to leave me. She’s Juliet and I’m Romeo.

Claire

Just when things between mom and I seem to be getting better, Rose has a scare that lands her in the hospital. So I pack up my bags and head to the only place I can think of that will take me and a pregnant dog in…Jax.

Of course, he answers the door in just a towel with his hair damp and his chest glistening from water droplets. I regain my senses and ask him for a place to stay while I sort out my life. He agrees, his only condition: I work my room and board off at his pub.

Seems easy enough. Until I see just how popular he is with the ladies and I hate that those pesky twinges of jealousy rise up in my chest when I see him enjoying that attention.

One drunken night, I ask Jax if his lips feel the same as they did when we were dating as teens. His gaze turns dark as he stares at me and asks, “Do you want me to kiss you, Claire?”

I know how our story ends. I’ve lived it before. Fate doesn’t want us together. Ever.

Juniper

I’m determined to put my life with Steve behind me. I haven’t told my parents what happened with Steve. My black eye speaks volumes all on its own.

When Steve calls me and says he’s sorry for what he did and wants to talk, I agree. It’s the least I can do. Mom and dad don’t want

me to go, but I’m an adult, I can make these decisions on my own. Until mom suggests that I take the new hire with me. His name is Boone and he looks like he belongs on the battlefield, not stocking shelves.

Not wanting to start a fight, I agree. But when Boone doesn’t leave my side, my parents plan starts to unfold. In the small town of Harmony Island, they found me a bone fide bodyguard.

My future doesn’t include Steve until…it does.

Anne-Marie Meyer