Pepper Watson has lost everything–her job, her fiancé, and the future she’d so carefully planned. Now she’s back at Wishing Bridge trying to figure out her next step. Her new plan does not include the ever-so-sexy Ben Cooper. Nope. She’s getting her life back on track, and getting out of this little town as fast as possible.

Ben Cooper is doing his best to build his business and help his parents. The last thing he needs is the distraction that is Pepper Watson. She might be prickly every time he’s in her presence, but he sees another side of her. The side that has set aside her dreams to help her sisters. And then there’s the fact that kissing her is pretty much the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

He’s putting down roots. She’s running away. It’s going to take more than a wish for these two to find their happily ever after.

Excerpt

She tilted her head a fraction. Was it an invitation? He leaned toward her.

“Coop, we shouldn’t,” she croaked, not moving.

“Oh, we really should,” he assured her as his mouth found hers.

Want exploded through him. Her lips were soft against his and she tasted of beer and freshness. Last time they’d kissed, it was over too soon. This time it’s on my terms. Her mouth opened to his as the beer fell from her hand. Coop discarded his own bottle and slid his hands around her back, drawing her closer.

The stars, the night sky, everything faded away.

She ran her hands down his back, turning him on more than it had the right to. He deepened the kiss before planting a trail of kisses down her neck. His fingers slid down the inside of her coat, but before he could tug her shirt from the waistband of her slacks, her cell phone beeped. It was like a siren in the night, and they both froze.

Pepper was the first to respond as she pulled away from him and a series of emotions flickered across her face.

“Um, I should check this. It could be urgent.”

“More urgent than this?” Coop tried to get his breathing under control.

She opened her mouth and then shut it again. Obviously lost for words. She stood up, carefully stepping over the beer that had spilled out onto the ground.

“I’m sorry, I’m not sure what came over me, but I should go.”

Coop bit back his disappointment with a shrug. “Sure. But you know Pepper. Kissing me once might have been an accident, but twice...”

“Twice was a mistake. It won’t happen again,” she said in a regal voice.

“You’re the boss,” he said. She turned her back and hurried toward her car and driveway.

Okay, so that had happened. If only I knew what the hell that was.

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Amanda Ashby was born in Australia but now lives in New Zealand where she writes romance, young adult and middle grade books. She also works in a library, owns far too many vintage tablecloths and likes to delight her family by constantly rearranging the furniture.

She has a degree in English and Journalism from the University of Queensland and is married with two children. Her debut book was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award, and her first young adult book was listed by the New York Public Library?s Stuff for the Teen Age. Because she’s mysterious she also writes middle grade books under the name, Catherine Holt and hopes that all this writing won’t interfere with her Netflix schedule.

She also runs writing workshops and loves to speak to people about Buffy (er, she means writing). See her Website for more information.