Almost, Always

Some love stories don't end-they just take a pause.

Five years ago, Natalie Grayson walked out of Carter Hayes' life with tears on her cheeks and a lie sitting heavy on her chest. In high school, they were the kind of couple that shouldn't have worked: she was the golden girl with invisible chains-too many expectations, too many secrets-and he was the reckless player who unexpectedly found his anchor in her. Carter changed, for her. Natalie loved him, deeply. But the truth? That never quite made it out alive.

Now, fate-or her older brother's wedding-has brought her back to Willow Creek, the small town she couldn't wait to leave. And Carter is still here. Older. Stronger. Colder. No longer the boy she left behind.

But the past doesn't stay buried. Especially when the third corner of the triangle-Hayden, the guy who always stood in the wings-steps into the light, holding secrets of his own.

Sometimes, second chances aren't gifts. They're tests.