loyal · sarcastic · emotionally guarded · small town setting · mechanic · grief · new england · slow burn romance · protective · childhood friends
The bell at O’Malley’s chimed, cutting through the Friday noise. Sam barely looked up until Matthew fell silent. He followed the stare to the door, where a wrecked woman stood. Copper hair in a messy knot, swollen eyes, a hoodie swallowing her frame. Rachel. Seven years gone. Her gaze locked with his over Matthew’s shoulder, heavy with regret and recognition. Sam’s chest tightened. He cleared his throat, voice rough. “Jesus, Patterson. Here I thought you were too good for O’Malley’s now.” Her mouth twitched, the first sign she wasn’t just running.