She walked into the masquerade like a dare—wearing a mask, a dress that could kill, and a look in her eyes I’d never seen before. I knew it was her. She didn’t know I knew. Alia Gibson is my best friend’s twin. Off-limits. Untouchable. The one girl I’m not supposed to want. I told myself I was just watching out for her. That’s what friends do. But the truth? I’ve never wanted anything the way I want Alia. And if I cross that line... I’m not sure I’ll ever come back. WARNING: This is a backstory prequel that ends on a cliffhanger. Their story continues in Book 1 of the Gibson Hollow series, Hero Ever After.

I never meant to be anyone’s heroine. Not when I became the acting mayor of my hometown after the flood. Not when I kept my law practice afloat out of a booth in my grandmother’s diner. And definitely not when my secret romantasy novels went viral. Nobody in Gibson Hollow knows I’m the author behind the pen name. And nobody was supposed to kiss me at that book convention—least of all my brother’s best friend, cosplaying the hero he doesn’t know I modeled after him. Now Ramsey Shaw is back in town. Volunteering. Smiling at me like I’m not on the verge of shattering. Like he remembers the kiss. Like he sees the truth. I’ve spent my whole life being strong. Quiet. In control. But for the first time, I don’t want to be any of those things. I just want to be his. In a town held together by hope and heart, it’s the people who show up that make it shine.

Once upon a time, Emmaline Maddox was my best friend. The girl I found in the woods, bruised and too proud to ask for help. The one I brought tea and peanut butter sandwiches, just to see her smile. But that was a long time ago—before life got messy. Before I put her little brother in cuffs and watched her shut me out with a look that guts me still. Now she’s about to lose everything she’s fought for because of some outdated clause in a will and a family feud older than indoor plumbing. I shouldn’t care. But I do. So I offer her the only thing I can: a fake marriage to make sure she gets what she’s earned. She says yes, even though I know she doesn’t trust me. Not anymore. I’ve never stopped wanting to protect her. But what if this time, I want to keep her too? In a town built on second chances, sometimes the most unexpected hero is the one who’s always been there.