KELLI

I balanced the takeout bag in one hand while trying to slide my key into the front door’s lock.

The Thai restaurant I stopped by earlier was short on staff, so I couldn’t help but volunteer to assist them with their late afternoon and evening rush.

The restaurant’s owner, Anong, was so grateful for my help, and I was happy to give it.

There wasn’t a business in Rose Hill I didn’t help in. We were a town of small businesses. Our shop owners relied on the people of Rose Hill to keep things opened and running. Young and old, and of all races, we were a community, and that’s what I loved the very most about Rose Hill.

Which is what I always try to explain to Ryder.

As soon as I got the key in the lock and turned it, the door gave way and opened to the view of Rose Hill and the man who was just on my mind, Ryder, sitting on the couch, staring at the TV. A TV that was off.

I glanced at the TV, then back at Ryder. “Hey?”

He looked over at me and chucked his chin, refocusing on the blank screen.

“Okay.” I snickered to myself. “It’s that kind of Rose Hill return, yet again.”

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RYDER

“Thank you,” I said to my driver as I pushed the door open. “Have a great rest of your day.”

The moment my feet touched the concrete of the sidewalk, I inhaled a valiant breath. My chauffeur, who picked me up from the airport, dropped me off in front of the building that housed my condo.

Mine and my best friend Kelli’s condo.

I sighed.

I was back in Rose Hill, New York. Again. Always back in Rose Hill when things didn’t go as planned.

KELLI

“Have a good one, Robin,” I said to a customer as I handed her a Bellyful logo bag. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She smiled back at me, accepting her bag. “Yes, you will.”

I snickered as I closed the register and walked from behind the service counter.

“It’s all yours, Shawn,” I said to one of our cashiers. I pointed at him next. “And remember what I told you.”

He chuckled, then licked his lips. “No flirting. Got it. I’mma be good, promise.”

I rolled my eyes while suppressing my smile. “Yeah, okay. Hard to believe when you’re doing the very thing I told you not to do right now. Stop licking your lips, okay? Because why are you licking your lips?”