Page 1 of Forever After Fall

PROLOGUE

One year ago…

Bristol

“Go spend the week with Anson at that resort.” Dakota gives me a pointed look as I hand her the little black bag I’ve just filled with her purchases from what we jokingly refer to as Many Moans. The secret backroom adult toy store I’ve been running out of my much more well-known small-town antique shop, Many Moons.

“That’s what started the fight in the first place.” I press my lips together and shake my head. My on-again, off-again boyfriend and I have definitely entered off-again territory. He went on a guys’ trip with his MC that included a laundry list of debauchery and then lied to me about it. Because, according to him, nothing happened, and there was nothing to tell.

So I finally agreed to take the trip to the couples-only resort my best friend gifted me. The only catch is her oldest brother is part of the deal, and my situationship thinks that means I’ll be partaking in my own debaucherous adventures. Which is patently ridiculous. Anson would never cross that line in a million years. Especially since Anson’s my brother-in-law.

When my sister died, he was lost, trying to raise their son, Ford, on his own and run his construction company at the same time. Not to mention managing his grief and getting all of Fannie’s affairs in order after the will was read. He was overwhelmed and drowning in responsibilities.

I was still in college and had the time to help him. The money he gave me from nannying also made sure I could pay the tuition my grants didn’t cover. And it made sure that ends were met at the home I shared with my mom. Over time, we grew into a sort of makeshift family unit. He helped my mom and me out with things around the house and always made sure I could pay the bills. I made sure Ford had everything he needed and that they both had clean clothes and a hot meal at least once a day.

Somewhere in there, Hazel, one of my best friends and Anson’s sister, became infatuated with the idea of Anson and me ending up together. A thing she’d know was impossible if she spent five minutes around the two of us on any given night at his house. He barely speaks to me beyond the necessities of making sure we’re all on the same page when it comes to the schedule. And I’m not sure Anson dates anyone at all. Ever.

“Yeah. Because he’s nervous you’ll find someone better. And you should. You deserve better, Bristol.” Dakota gives me a pointed stare as I try to avoid her gaze. Chris wasn’t the best guy in the world. I didn’t pretend that he was, but he also wasn’t the worst. I considered him a fixer-upper. A little work here and there, and I could have him good as new.

“I could have said the same to you and Hazel about your relationships, and look at you now.” They’re both headed down the aisle.

“Chris and Grant are nothing alike. Even in his most infuriating moments, he would never let me wonder about his fidelity. I don’t even have to think about it.” Dakota means well, but the contrast between her current relationship status and mine feels painful.

“And what, now you’re on Hazel’s side about this Anson thing?” The last thing I need is them all conspiring.

“Would it be so bad?”

“Going to paradise for a week with him? No. I’m certain he’ll plop himself down in front of a laptop to work most of the week while I go to the pool and beach alone. Then he’ll sleep on the couch while he insists I take the bed. Then we’ll eat dinner together in silence. Eat, sleep, repeat. It’ll be relaxing, but it won’t be romantic.”

“You never know.”

“I know. If he had any romantic interest in me whatsoever, I’d know. He’s had dozens—no, hundreds—of times to show it. Not once. Which is fine. Honestly, I don’t think he has a romantic bone in his body. I think he’s a workaholic, and between that and Ford, he’s at full capacity.”

“Do you have any interest in him?”

“He’s just Ford’s dad to me.” I shrug.

Have I thought about Anson? Sure. Once or twice. He’s good-looking, and by almost anyone’s definition, he’s a catch. Manages his own company. Owns his own house. A good reputation in our small town, which you know is hard to come by if you’ve spent any time here at all. He’s always helping people, and his business regularly donates to charity. He’s probably the most eligible bachelor in town these days now that all the Stocktons are locked down. Not to mention, the single-dad thing has half the single moms swooning over him at football practice. He’s perfect on paper.

But we’re so deep into our well-worn rut of raising Ford and getting our family through the day that I see an entirely different side of him. Grumpy. Silent. Stubbornly dedicated to a regimented schedule. Obsessed with work. And occasionally just seemingly irritated by my very existence.

“Well. Chris doesn’t need to know that, and I think he deserves to wonder about what you’re up to while you relax at the beach.”

“It’d be easier if I didn’t have to ask Darby to cover for me with the antique shop. She already does so much. And then I just have to straight-up close this place for the week. That’s a lot of lost revenue.”

I pause to smile and welcome a customer who Darby lets in through the back door, nodding to let me know she knew the password. She looks overwhelmed the second she steps in and sees corsets and lingerie on one side and adult toys and videos on the other. I’ll have to wrap this discussion with Dakota up and get back to business.

“Just go. You deserve it. You’re a workaholic too, you know.” Dakota gives me a knowing look before finally ceding ground and heading for the door.

“How dare you!” I call after her, but I’m smiling as I do it. It’s true. I am a workaholic too. Every dime I can squirrel away means a better future than the life I’ve had so far, and I want it desperately enough to work however many hours that requires.

I straighten up a little bit behind the counter, making sure the travel-size lubes are lined up in neat rows in their box, and the price tag for the sexy dice is propped up carefully above them on the other side. I want to give the new customer a chance to look around without feeling rushed before I ask how I can help. But it turns out I don’t have to because when I look up, she’s on the other side of the counter.

“Hi! I could use your help.”

“Of course! What can I do for you?”

“My friend told me about this place. All good things. And I’m just trying to find… Well, I don’t know exactly. Some lingerie? A corset or a costume, maybe?”