Before It Happens

Evangeline Mulldoch knows almost everyone in her hometown. Or at least she used to.
Six years ago, she left it behind. Including her older brother's best friend, Caleb Franklinson.

When she moves back and he walks into her bookstore, she doesn't recognize him. He looks different now. Broader. Older... Handsomer.
Nothing like the boy who used to linger in her family's kitchen and argue with her over nothing.

Caleb Franklinson recognizes her instantly.
He practically grew up in her house, which makes it hard to say when simple familiarity turned into something more. It was never something he planned to act on. And definitely not something he ever intended her brother to find out about. So when she greets him like he's just another customer and never asks his name, he lets it happen.

He lets her recommend him a book. Lets her talk. Lets himself wonder how long it will take her to finally recognize him.
She doesn't.

The truth comes out days later at a family dinner when she knocks on the door of her childhood home and he's the one who opens it.

And suddenly, the boy she barely noticed isn't in the background anymore.

Chapters are published once a week, starting with the prologue on February 6th 2026