Well, there was a time when I lived my life like Brig: happy and in love. But that part of me died many years ago.

Laughter rings out from across the lawn, pulling all our attention. Jen and our mom are standing with another woman whose back is to us, all three with drinks in hand. The stranger’s silhouette feels familiar, resembling a figure that used to pull at my gut whenever I saw it.

“Who’s Jen talking to?” I nod toward their little group.

“No idea,” Reid answers, tossing another twig in the fire.

“Whoever she is, she has nice legs,” Brig says. “Long and lean, like a ballerina.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end just as Jen meets my gaze, a giant smile on her face. With her empty hand, she motions for me to join them, but I remain firmly planted.

“Whoever she is, Jen wants you to meet her.” Brig pokes my arm.

“Not happening,” I answer, my eyes trained on the woman in question. Her obvious familiarity with my mom and sister is concerning, and the way she pushes her hair behind her ear, and how her head tilts back ever so slightly when she laughs, she almost reminds me of . . .

“Fuck.” I stand abruptly, pulling on the back of my head and looking around the campfire for the fastest escape route.

“Dude, you startled me,” Brig complains, holding his beer can out in front of him as Reid chuckles. “I got beer all over me.”

“I need to get out of here. Move.” Neither of my brothers makes any attempt to get out of my way.

“Rogue, come here,” Jen calls out.

And for a moment, I can’t help it; I look in their direction, only to have the wind knocked out of my lungs.

In what feels like slow motion, the mystery woman turns around, her soft midlength hair fluttering over her shoulders, her eyes widening. Just as I was dreading. It’s her.

Harper Sanders.

The girl I was supposed to marry.

The girl I pushed away.

The love of my life. Hell, the girl I’m still in love with.

I glare down at Reid. “Move the fuck out of my way now, or I’m going to bend your legs back over your head.”

“Damn, man, what’s the problem?” Reid’s gaze drifts to the group of women, and I can see the second he recognizes Harper. A smarmy smile spreads across his lips. I want to lean down and punch it right off. Because he’s my younger brother, Reid lifts his hand in the air and waves. “Hey, Harper. We were just admiring your legs. Rogan here in particular.”

If all eyes weren’t pinned on us right now, I’d pick up my dick of a brother by the scruff of his neck and toss him into the fire.

“I’m going to kill you,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Totally worth it.” He eyes the girls again. “She’s looking at you; there’s no way you can flee now. Might as well go say hi.” He stands and moves to the side, giving me the path I so desperately wanted a minute ago.

“Rogan, come here,” our mom calls out, now waving at me.

And that solidifies it; there is no way I can escape now without confronting my past, unless I want to face the wrath of Mama Knightly. And given that she’s a relentless, guilt-tripping mother, I’m not up for the weeks of torture she’ll rain down upon me.

A quick hello. That’s all.

Irritated with my family and cursing the ball of nerves currently tightening in the pit of my stomach, I walk past Reid—but not before subtly kicking him in the shin.

“Son of a mother—” he hisses, leaning down to rub his leg.

“Don’t fuck with me next time,” I say from the side of my mouth.

Adjusting my loose beanie, my hair peeking out the front, I walk the plank toward Jen, my mom, and Harper. Looking at the ground, Harper barely acknowledges me when I make it to their little circle.

Awkwardly, I stand there, rocking on my heels, unsure of what to really say. What do you say to the love of your life, the girl you pushed away so many years ago?

Heart still broken?

Date anyone new?

Still hate my guts?

Speaking of the love of my life . . . she pushes her beautiful deep-red hair behind her ear and looks up at me through her impossibly long eyelashes. Wrapped up in a purple sweater and leggings, she hasn’t skipped a beat when it comes to her classy comfort attire. Really, she hasn’t changed a bit; her slim figure and small breasts still light a fire inside me—one I told myself was extinguished long ago.

“Rogan, aren’t you going to say hi?” Jen chastises me. Jesus, how long have I been staring at Harper?

Hands stuffed in my jeans pockets, I give her a small nod. “Hey, Harper, good to see you.”

Not really. It’s not good to see her.

It’s not good to see the way those hazel eyes stare up at me, nor the way her body language seems to speak volumes, her small movements attracting my eye to different parts of her body.

“You too,” she answers stiffly, eyes falling to the drink in her hand. “I’m just surprised. When Jen invited me, she said you weren’t going to be here.” She gives Jen a quick glance, letting her know she’s not happy.

Yeah, neither am I, babe.

“Oh yeah? You told her I wasn’t going to be here, Jen?”

Nervously laughing, Jen takes a sip of her drink and looks between me and Harper.

The Knightlys are meddlers; it’s one of my family’s most annoying traits. Hell, I’m guilty of meddling myself—most recently with Griffin—but I don’t ever want to be on the receiving end. I’ve always tried to skirt away, flying under the radar, never attracting attention to myself, but there’s always that one time of the year that my family is constantly in my business: when Harper comes home to visit her dad.

But Christmas is still a few months away, so Harper’s untimely visit has my mind whirling.

“You know, I think Zach is calling me. Do you hear him, Mom?” Jen lies, using her husband as a scapegoat.

“What? I don’t—” My mom clues in and grins. “Oh yes, I think he’s calling the both of us.” And just like that, my mom and my sister link arms and head off toward the house, leaving me alone with Harper.

Perfect.

Blowing out a long breath of air, hands still in my pockets, I silently promise to get my mom and Jen back for this.

“I’m sorry about that,” I finally say, wanting to be anywhere but here, enveloped in the achingly familiar vanilla scent of Harper’s perfume. “They haven’t been well for a while, not all mentally there.”

Harper gives me a sad smile, hands gripping her drink, her eyes evading mine. “It’s fine. It’s probably for the best we get this awkward first sighting over with since I’m going to be here for a while.”

Hell freezes over.

My muscles stiffen in seconds, and my mouth goes dry.

Did I just hear her right? She’s going to be here for a while?

The only thing keeping me sane these last few years is the fact that Harper only comes back to Port Snow once a year, and I can easily avoid her for those few days. But now . . .

How long is a while?

I clear my throat. “For a while, huh?”

She nods and finally meets my eyes. “Dad needs my help, so I came back for him.”

Chuck Sanders is the healthiest, strongest fifty-year-old I know. His workout routine is almost better than mine. What kind of help could he possibly need? A lighthouse keeper for thirty years now, he can do his job in his sleep, which is something he’s told me more times than I can count.

“Is your dad okay?”

“Oh yeah, he’s fine.” She bites the side of her cheek, and I immediately know whatever she says next is going to be a lie. It’s her telltale sign. “He asked for some help with the lighthouse, that’s all.”

There’s something she’s not telling me; it’s written all over her face. I don’t blame her, though. Why would she confide in me after the way I treated her, after the way I told her to get out of my life?

Instead of trying to pull the truth out of her like I used to, I let the lie settle between us. “Oh, nice . . . well, tell your dad I say hi. I should probably get going.” I nod toward the house.

She shakes her head. “You don’t have to leave on my account. This is your brother’s house; I should leave. I never should have come in the first place. I just haven’t seen Jen in a while.” She lets out a sigh. “I’m sorry.”

She awkwardly turns and starts to walk away. A part of me wants to stay planted where I am, let her retreating back be the last thing I remember tonight, but before I can stop myself, I chase after her and gently tug on her arm.

“Wait.” Stunned, she turns back and looks up at me. “You don’t need to be sorry, Harper. Jen is your friend. My whole family has been a huge part of your life. Just because . . .” I swallow hard. “Just because we’re not together anymore doesn’t mean you need to isolate yourself from the Knightly family.”

“That’s kind of you, Rogan, but I’ve lived without them for the past seven years. I think I’ll be fine.” With that, she gives me a sad parting smile and takes off toward the house, giving Jen and my mom a passing wave. They try to get her to stay, but it’s useless. Harper has made up her mind.