My car skidded sideways, wobbled and shuddered, jumped the curb and struck a huge boulder on the school lawn that had two words painted on it: WELCOME BACK!

God. This was so unfair.

I choked back a sob as I got out of the car.

“Blair!”

Startled, I looked to my left and saw Griffin running at me across the parking lot as if his life depended on it. Reaching my side, he fell forward, hands on his knees, breathing hard. “Blair, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Are you okay?”

“Yes.” He straightened up, still huffing and puffing. “Just don’t faint yet. I need a second to catch my breath.”

My face burned, and I shook my head. “I’m not going to faint.”

“Good. Are you sure you’re all right?” He took me by the upper arms, and gooseflesh rippled across my skin.

“Yes. I’m just really embarrassed.” Fans from the game were heading toward their cars now, and many of them were staring at us.

“Why?”

“Because I didn’t want you to see me here. And I just blew another tire. Also I might have damaged this rock that’s probably been here for a hundred years.” I gestured toward it.

“I’m sure you were legally parked when it hit you.”

I almost smiled. A tear slipped down my cheek. “I’m a disaster.”

“Stop it. You’re beautiful.” He brushed it with his thumb. “Do you know how happy I am to see you here?”

My heart stopped beating. “You are?”

He took my face in his hands. “If it weren’t for that game, I’d already be on your doorstep right now, begging your forgiveness.”

“You would?”

“Yes. I’m so sorry, Blair. I was wrong to send you away like that. I lied about how I felt because I was scared. I swear to God, the minute you were gone, I realized my mistake, but I was too stubborn to admit it.”

“You really hurt me,” I said quietly.

“I know. And I’m sorry. I hated myself for it. You just . . . took me by surprise. I had no idea someone like you even existed, and I was totally unprepared for the way you made me feel. But I don’t want to fight it anymore.”

The crowd behind him was closing in around us, and I could hear some people murmuring with curiosity, and others shushing the murmurers so they could hear better.

“Um, we’re surrounded,” I whispered.

“Doesn’t matter,” he said with a wry, crooked grin. “It’s not like it’s possible to have any secrets in this town.”

“True.”

“Nothing was good without you, Blair. I need you in my life. And I don’t care who knows it.”

“Griffin,” I said, tears splashing down my cheeks.

He wiped them away with his thumbs. “Say you’ll give me another chance.”

“I want to, but I’m scared. I trusted you.”

“Don’t be scared.” He pressed his lips to my forehead. “I am the man you thought I was, Blair. Let me prove it to you.”

I felt like the crowd was holding its breath right along with me.

“Say yes! He means it!” someone shouted.

“Mariah, be quiet!” a man’s voice scolded.

“But Dad, you can tell he does. And she’s wearing a white dress. Maybe this means they’ll get married for real.”

I started to laugh, even though I couldn’t stop crying. “I really do love this town.”

“Does that mean you’ll come back?”

“It means you can have your second chance. Beyond that, we’ll talk.”

Then his lips were on mine, the crowd around us cheered, and I felt myself being lifted right off the ground.

That’s when I knew—if a place could love you back, or grow arms and hug you, that’s what this place would do.

After we towed my car to the garage, I called Frannie to let her know what happened.

“Oh my God, really?” she shrieked. “You blew another tire? That’s some seriously bad luck.”

“Or good luck, depending on how you look at it.” I exchanged a smile with Griffin as he opened the door of his truck for me.

Frannie laughed. “Right! So you guys got back together right there at the scene? With a crowd around you?”

“Yes,” I said, climbing into the passenger seat. “We’ve given them something to talk about tomorrow for sure.”

“I can’t wait to hear all the details,” she squealed. “Listen, don’t worry about coming back tonight. Just stay there and enjoy.”

“Are you sure? Griffin said he’d be glad to drive me.”

“I’m positive. And since we’re closed on Mondays, you don’t have to rush back tomorrow either. Take the whole weekend.”

“You’re the best, Frannie. I’ll see you Tuesday.”

“All good?” Griffin asked, sliding behind the wheel.

“All good. You don’t have to bring me back right away.”

He grabbed my hand and kissed it. “I might never want to bring you back.”

I smiled. “We’ll talk.”

Griffin and I met up with the rest of the team at the pub to celebrate. The moment Cheyenne saw me, she hugged me hard and dragged me into the bathroom to get the scoop.

“Did he grovel?” she squeaked. “I can’t believe I missed the big scene!”

I laughed. “Kind of. He was pretty apologetic and took all the blame. He asked me for a second chance.”

“Good. He told me earlier today he was going to get you back, and I was so worried he’d mess it up.”

I shook my head. “He didn’t. We still have some things to figure out, but I have a really good feeling we can make it work.”

Cheyenne grinned. “Me too.”

“You know what this means, though,” I said as we walked back to the table.

“What?”

I steered her toward the empty seat next to Cole. “It’s your turn next.”

“Bisou!” The moment I saw her, I dropped to my knees on the floor and scooped her up, misty-eyed. “I missed you so much!”

“She missed you too,” said Griffin. “I’m going to grab a shower, okay?”

“Sure. I’ll feed her.” I snuggled the cat for a minute before setting her down, but even after I stood, she wound herself around my foot and rubbed her head against my ankle. Laughing, I reached down to pet her again. “I’m not going anywhere yet,” I promised.

I fed her, turned out all the lights, and undressed in Griffin’s bedroom. When he came out of the bathroom, I was already under the covers.

“God, you have no idea how happy I am to see you back in my bed,” he said, crawling in beside me. “I had no idea how lonely this place could be.”

We lay on our sides, facing each other. “I was lonely too,” I told him, running a fingertip over the ink on his chest.

He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Can you forgive me for being such a stubborn jerk?”

“Maybe.” I smiled mischievously. “But I get to ask you some questions first.”