ST

Four years ago, she left the Outer Banks—and JJ Maybank—behind. Growing up on Figure Eight never stopped her from finding a home with the Pogues, especially JJ. What started as friendship became something neither of them knew how to name. They were reckless, inseparable, and painfully in love, but when she finally asked JJ to give her a reason to stay, his fear convinced him she’d be better off without him. So he let her go. Now she’s back on Kildare with an engagement ring on her finger and only three weeks until her wedding. Her fiancé represents everything JJ never believed he could give her: stability, security, family approval, and a future that makes sense. JJ tells himself that should be enough to make him stay away. It isn’t. As wedding preparations pull her deeper into Figure Eight, returning to the Pogues brings back everything she thought she’d left behind—boat rides, Chateau nights, old jokes, old arguments, and a connection with JJ that four years apart never managed to kill. Neither intends to cross a line. Neither intends to admit they’re still in love. But with every passing day, the wedding gets closer, old feelings become harder to ignore, and JJ is forced to confront the mistake he’s regretted since the night she left. Because this time, if he stays silent, there won’t be another summer to fix it. There will only be a wedding. And someone else waiting for her at the end of the aisle.