Love Like Ours (Pride Oregon #17)

Prologue

S ophia bolted across the slick pavement as rain pelted her face like icy needles. The wind howled around her, tugging at her drenched hoodie, and she winced, already imagining the streaky mess her bright blue temporary hair color must be leaving behind. Great. She probably looked like a drowned Smurf.

She and her mother had moved to Pride from Edgeview, a larger town just twenty minutes away, shortly after her sixteenth birthday. It had taken her a while to adjust to the slower pace, but now, the small town had wrapped itself around her heart like a warm blanket. It helped that she’d found her passion—photography and filmmaking—and, to her surprise, an audience. Her YouTube channel had exploded past a million subscribers, and she still couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that her quirky cat videos had launched her into minor internet fame.With the countless hours she’d put in at her brother Lucas’s restaurant—not to mention a recent inheritance—she’d finally saved up enough to chase her dream of attending the New York Film Academy. Ever since she’d started making movies at twelve, dressing up her cats, Rusty and Luna, in elaborate costumes and giving them starring roles in her mini blockbusters, NYFA had been the ultimate goal. Somehow, those two feline divas had become internet sensations, their spunky attitudes and her comedic editing style drawing in a loyal audience.

Her move to Pride had only fueled her creative spark. The town boasted two world-renowned artists who volunteered to teach summer classes, and she’d soaked up everything they had to offer—background design, color theory, photography techniques. Then there was Avery, her brother’s wife, who had practically adopted her creative ambitions. That first Christmas after marrying Lucas, Avery had gifted her a professional camera, and from that moment on, Sophia had been unstoppable. Her bedroom had transformed into a fully equipped studio, thanks to her mom’s support and an ever-growing collection of gear.

Now, she was saving up for a high-end microphone she’d been drooling over for months, which meant working evenings at Pride Pueblo Cocina—PPC, as the staff called it—her brother’s thriving Mexican restaurant. The place had become the second most popular eatery in town, trailing just behind the legendary Golden Oar. With its packed dining room, lively bar, and rooftop terrace, PPC was always buzzing, which meant tips were excellent.

She was less than a block away from the restaurant, head down, eyes locked on her soaked blue Doc Martens as she navigated puddles, when she slammed into a solid wall of muscle.

Or rather, a person.

“Hey, Sophia.”

Her stomach did a little flip as she looked up to find Palmer Clark standing in the rain, grinning at her like the storm was some grand adventure. The guy was ridiculously good-looking—tall, broad shoulders, dark curls dripping with rain, and eyes so deep they could swallow a girl whole.

Oh, and an awkward charm that somehow made him even hotter.

“Oh, hi, Palmer,” she said, trying not to sound breathless.

Palmer was… complicated. They’d sort of dated. Two dates and a few stolen kisses that had nearly melted her brain. But then she’d heard rumors that he’d hooked up with Lindy, and rather than waiting for heartbreak, she’d cut things off.

Too bad she’d later learned Lindy had made the whole thing up just to sabotage her.

Palmer fell into step beside her, effortlessly hopping over a puddle. “I hoped you were working tonight.”

“Oh?” She glanced at him, pausing at the crosswalk, the streetlight casting a golden glow on his rain-slick skin.

He reached out and lightly touched her hair. “Blue.”

Before she could warn him, his fingers came away stained, and she burst out laughing as he frowned down at them.

“Sorry, it’s temporary.” She tucked her hair deeper under her hood, still giggling.

“I like it.” He wiped his hand on his jeans. “It matches your…” He hesitated, eyes flicking from her face to her boots. “Shoes.”

She arched a brow. “Smooth.”

Palmer was a walking contradiction—popular, devastatingly attractive, yet adorably dorky. And yeah, she’d fallen hard.

Then, well, Lindy’s lie had ruined everything.

“I was wondering if you wanted to go to the movies this weekend,” he said as they crossed the street.

“Can’t. I’m working.” She picked up her pace as the rain intensified, her heart hammering as she threw out the words she’d been holding back for months. “Why don’t you ask Lindy?”

Before the door to the restaurant swung shut behind her, she could have sworn she heard him mutter, “She’s not you.”