YB

The gym smelled like roses and sweat the night of graduation. As names echoed across the stage, Y/N clutched her cap tighter, trying not to cry when she spotted her best friend waving from the bleachers. Four years gone in one blink. Two weeks later, she left town for nursing school. The years moved fast after that—late-night studying, hospital shifts, too much coffee, and finally the moment she earned the title “RN.” She only came home once or twice a year, usually for holidays, never staying long enough to notice how much everything had changed. Until summer. Her best friend begged her to come back for the county fair, so she did. That’s where she saw him again. Jackson Hayes leaned against a muddy truck in his work boots and reflective shirt, laughing with a few guys from the electric company. He looked older now—broader shoulders, rough hands, the same sharp eyes. In high school, Jackson had sworn he couldn’t stand her. Teased her constantly. Argued with her in class. Rolled his eyes every time she spoke.So naturally, he was the first person she ran into at the fair. Literally. Her lemonade splashed across his shirt, and she froze. “Oh my gosh—I’m so sorry.” Jackson looked down at the stain, then back at her. “Still trying to ruin my life, huh?” She laughed before she could stop herself. And somehow after that, he was everywhere. Helping her best friend’s dad fix storm lines. Sitting two rows behind her at church. Grabbing coffee at the only gas station in town at the exact same time she did.