It's funny, the small things that come back to you.
Like the way he was always waiting by my locker after third period, leaning against the wall with that crooked smile, acting like he'd just happened to be there at the exact moment I was. Or how he'd trace circles on the back of my hand, quietly, like it was some big secret only we knew. We were seventeen then, a mix of nerves and bravado, dreaming of everything our lives could be, together or apart. Neither of us thought we'd end up here, ten years later, still feeling every one of those small moments like they were yesterday.
Now, as I look across the room at him-still leaning against a wall, still with that same easy smile-it hits me. Every choice, every missed chance, every whispered promise... it all led us here. And the hardest part? I'm not sure if that's something to smile about or something to mourn.
In Before Us, follow their journey through love, heartbreak, and the unbreakable bond that kept them coming back to each other, year after year. With a story told across a decade, this is a friends-to-lovers romance that asks the question: Can love stand the test of time, or do some people walk away for a reason?
When Chef Margot loses her beloved restaurant to her cheating ex-fiance, her best friend, single dad Nathan, steps in with an unexpected offer to help her start over. As they collaborate, sparks fly-but can they overcome their complicated pasts for a chance at real love?
Season 4 of The Mechanic
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Margot Taylor thought she had it all: a thriving restaurant and a fiance she adored. But her world crumbled when her fiance abruptly cancelled their wedding and claimed ownership of her cherished restaurant. With her career in tatters and her heart broken, Margot is forced to start over.
Enter Nathan Davis, her loyal best friend and a single dad chasing big dreams of his own. As a partner in the multibillion-pound auto business, Nathan offers her a lifeline-a chance to open a new eatery on the grounds of his new mechanic shop.
As Margot pours her heartbreak into a new dream, her friendship with Nathan deepens into something much more electric. But their growing happiness is threatened when Nathan's ex-wife returns, determined to take their daughter away and upend the new couple's relationship. Caught in chaos, Margot must decide if she has the strength to fight for the life she's building...or let the wounds of her past ruin her future.
Content warning: This story contains depictions of eating disorders that may be upsetting for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
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