Love Under the Stars (Hicks Creek #2)

Prologue

Amber

“A h, Hicks Creek, you never disappoint. Oh, how I have missed the feel of getting smacked in the face with a wet washcloth,” I say sarcastically into the wind as I walk out of my parents’ house.

The humidity is obscene today, but I have missed my hometown something fierce. College and my current job have pulled me away, but I’m always hopeful that someday, I’ll return to family and friends for good.

I take another deep breath of Hicks Creek’s muggy air. It's good to be back, even for a short visit. The Fourth of July weekend comes with small family time and wedding dress shopping for my bestie.

My life in Connecticut has been brutal, and a quick trip home is the reset I need to survive. I thought I’d gotten an amazing job, found the man of my dreams, and was living my best life even though I missed home fiercely. It turns out the job and the man talked a big game, but neither delivered.

My phone rings as I get into my car.

“Where are you?” Bree asks. “Are you almost here?”

“I am,” I say into the phone. “It took forever to get a rental car, and I stopped by my parents’ house even though they’re not home.”

“I would have picked you up, you know?”

“It’s fine. I need to establish independence and do things on my own.”

“I get it,” she murmurs. “Just because Tommy was a douchebag doesn’t mean you’re an invalid or not worthy. You know that, right?”

“I do,” I say. “It’s just…it’s still a shock that he had an entire other life that I knew nothing about.”

“He’s a piece-of-shit con artist with a tiny dick, Amber. It’s a him problem, not a you problem.”

I pull out of the driveway and start for the boutique where I’m meeting Bree. I blow out a breath, feeling that familiar pang of sadness wash over me.

I miss Tommy so much, but I never even really knew him. He put on one hell of an act.

“I was miserable in Connecticut but thought it would get better, you know? Now, it’s like…even worse because I worry about seeing him out and about somewhere with the new lady.”

“He’s not worth your time. You’re still not happy at the prep academy?”

“It’s terrible. I thought…I thought I’d be able to make a real difference there and that they’d give me flexibility. They don’t, though. Everything has to be approved by a board, but they rarely approve anything, and the kids are disrespectful and allowed to do whatever they want because the parents threaten to pull their donations. It’s the worst.”

“I know I helped you with your résumé, but have you been submitting those in Connecticut or closer to home?” she asks.

“Yes, I originally wanted it because I was looking to move closer to Tommy since there was about an hour and a half between us. Now that it’s over, I’ve put my résumé into at least fifty places closer to home.”

“I’m sure you’ll find something soon.”

“A lot of places have already hired for the school year, though. So I’m probably stuck there for another year.”

“And if you are, you are. You’ll make the best of it. You always do!”

I love her, but I hate when people say that. I have no choice but to make the best of it.

Grrr. I’m being too negative.

“This isn’t about me today,” I say. “I’m pulling in now.”

Bree—my best friend since forever and my ride-or-die—and I have been planning this day for weeks, and she’s buzzing with excitement as she steps out of her car, practically skipping toward me. So am I, really. I forgot how good it feels to be home.

“Amber!” Bree squeals, pulling me into a big hug. “Are you ready for the wildest dress-shopping adventure ever?”

“Wild might be pushing it.” I laugh, giving her a quick squeeze back. “But yeah, I’m ready to watch you try on every princess gown and mermaid tail in the shop.”

She just grins, linking her arm with mine as we head inside the small boutique that she’s picked out, called Something Blue. It’s cozy, intimate, and packed with gowns in every size and color. She’s already eyeing one with a fluffy tulle skirt and intricate beading, clearly lost in wedding daydreams.

For the next hour, we’re in full dress-up mode. My bestie twirls around in a lace gown with tiny sleeves, does a little shimmy in a slinky satin number, and even tries on a ball gown that makes her look like a full-on Disney princess. I’m cheering, clapping, and helping her zip up and down, but eventually, we find the one : a stunning fitted dress with a lace overlay that hugs her perfectly.

It's bittersweet to be dress shopping with your best friend, but I thought we’d eventually be shopping for my wedding dress. I was convinced that Tommy would propose soon, but now I’m back at square one, and I’m not getting any younger. I’m not letting her see my emotions, but my heart hurts.

“Bree, it’s gorgeous,” I say, a bit choked up as she stands in front of the mirror, looking more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her.

We’ve dreamed about this day for as long as I can remember, the two of us playing dress-up in our mother’s clothes and making plans for who our husband would be.

Even then, she knew she and Charlie would someday walk down the aisle together. It just took them a little longer, and they went through a lot of wild paths for it to happen.

She deserves this, and I can’t let my grief and heartbreak ruin this moment for either of us.

She takes a deep breath, her eyes sparkling. “This is it, Amber,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “I can’t believe Charlie and I are really getting married.”

We both take a second, grinning at each other before she does a little spin in the dress. I’m about to get emotional again when my phone buzzes with a text.

It’s Sofia, my sister-in-law, reminding me that we’re all supposed to meet up at Chateau de Hicks, the new winery in town. I nudge Bree, who’s busy staring at her reflection like she’s never going to take the dress off.

“Okay, Mrs. Soon-To-Be Married, time to wrap it up! Sofia and the girls are waiting, and if we’re late, all the good wine will be gone before we even get there. I’m excited to check out your wedding venue.”

“It’s so beautiful, Amber. I cannot wait for you to see it. You’ll never believe that something so gorgeous and chic is in Hicks Creek. It’s like we’re stepping into the city when we’re not.”

Bree lets out a little laugh and reluctantly changes back, promising she’ll be back to pick up the dress next week. We pile into my car and make our way down the familiar roads, catching up on the latest gossip from Hicks Creek, laughing at old stories, and acting like we’re still in high school.

The beautiful winery is rustic yet modern, with wood accents and fairy lights strung along the patio. Sofia waves us over from a table out on the terrace, surrounded by a few other friends from town, and it doesn’t take long before we’re hugging, laughing, and ordering our first round of wine.

“How does it feel to be back in town, Amber?” Sofia asks, swirling her glass.

“It feels like old times,” I say, grinning. “You know, without the 2 a.m. Taco Bell runs and Bree begging me to sing off-key karaoke.”

“Or Amber having the wild idea to drive the backroads all night long.” Bree giggles.

“Oh my goodness,” Katie interjects. “Do you remember the minivan your parents had, Amber? If they had any idea that we would tailgate with that thing in cornfields, they would have never let you drive it.”

“Old red.” I laugh. “Mom always asked why I kept so many lawn chairs in it.”

“Legendary memories,” Kaci adds.

Bree lets out a snort, and before long, we’re sharing ridiculous stories from high school and making all the inappropriate jokes that come naturally to us when we’re a few glasses in. The whole table is in stitches as Bree shares a memory about an ex of hers who once tried serenading her with an off-key, heavily dramatic rendition of “Unchained Melody” in front of her parents.

“You should have seen my dad’s face. I thought he was going to turn inside out from secondhand embarrassment,” she says, giggling as Sofia nearly spits out her wine.

“Remember that time we tried to sneak out to the lake party?” Katie asks, wiping her eyes. “And Amber got stuck in that ridiculous fence?”

“Hey! That fence was sturdier than it looked,” I defend myself, laughing. “Besides, we still made it!”

“You guys seem to have had quite the fun in your teenage years,” Sofia observes.

“Yeah, some people will complain about small towns, but I don’t think you could backroad or stay out until two in the morning anywhere else.” I smile.

Before I know it, the jokes get more outrageous, the laughter louder, and my cheeks hurt from smiling. It's a rare, perfect moment, all of us together, free from the worries of everyday life. I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. As I’m almost there, I get a call from Katrina, one of my old classmates from high school who now works as the vice principal at the Hicks Creek Grade School.

“Amber! Hey!” Katrina’s voice is bright and cheerful, as always.

“Hey, Katrina! What’s up?” I ask, stepping out onto the quieter edge of the terrace.

“I’m sure you know about Mrs. D’s death, and with that, it means that the fourth-grade position at the school just opened. It’s a good thing Bree dropped your résumé off around the same time because I didn’t know you were looking to come back to town. You’d be perfect for it!”

I blink, a little stunned.

Teaching in Hicks Creek? That’s always been my dream.

“Wait, seriously?”

“Yes! I mean, we’re desperate because of the timing of our loss, but also, you’d be so great. You’re fantastic with kids and already know so many people here. Not to mention, it would be so great to have you back home!”

I press a hand to my mouth, giddy with excitement. “Oh my God, Katrina. I’d love that. When is the first day of school?”

“It’s the middle of August, so you essentially have a month. I understand if you need more time, but…”

“No, it’s perfect! Thank you, Katrina. Seriously, I can’t believe this!” I end the call floating on cloud nine. I’m so excited and start a mental checklist of everything I’ll need to do.

I’m grinning from ear to ear. Bree and I were just talking about me changing jobs, and it’s like this just dropped out of the heavens and into my lap. I was feeling so down earlier, and now…now it’s surreal.

Resign from my job at Pullan Prep Academy, call my parents to see if I can move into my grandparents’ old house, get movers…yikes, this is adding up quickly.

I take in a quick breath and quell the anxiety that’s trying to steal this perfect moment away from me.

Teaching in Hicks Creek has always been my dream, and this opportunity couldn’t have come at a more perfect moment. I can leave Connecticut behind without a second thought. While only giving the school a month’s notice isn’t ideal, and I feel a little bad about it, I’m too excited about this opportunity to care.

I spin around, ready to jump for joy and sprint back to my friends to tell them the remarkable news. Instead, I smack directly into someone, sending the full glass of red wine he’s holding straight down the front of my dark blue sundress.

“Oh God!” I gasp, looking down at the deep red stain blooming across my top.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry,” the guy stammers, his hands flailing as he tries to help, looking utterly mortified. He’s tall, has tousled dark hair and piercing gray eyes, and is clearly as flustered as I am.

Our eyes lock, and it’s as if the entire world shifts for a second.

I could get lost in those eyes. Wow, I’ve never seen anything so…wow.

“It’s fine. It’s fine.” I wave him off, laughing. “It’s my fault for not watching where I was going.”

“No, no, really, I should’ve moved out of the way. I just didn’t expect…” He looks down at the mess we’ve both made.

“Derek?” someone calls out from behind us.

“Shit,” he groans as he closes his eyes and blows out a long breath.

“Friend of yours?” I tease.

“I’m sorry,” he says.

He wraps his arms around my waist, and for some reason, I look down at my feet, thinking I’m about to step in the spilled wine and he is being chivalrous. But my dress must be pretty absorbent because there’s no wine on the floor. I look up in confusion, and his lips slam against mine.

What is happening right now?

Holy shit, it’s like a chorus of angels started singing. False alarm; it’s just the DJ playing new music.

His mouth is warm against mine, his hand moving up to hold my face. I melt into him. I mean, I should be yanking away and slapping him across the face, but I can’t move. I’m mesmerized.

Right here, in the middle of the winery, his lips crash into mine as if this is some life-and-death matter. I’m still in total shock, my brain short-circuiting, but then— whoa . He’s good. Like melt-into-a-puddle good. But just as fast as it started, he pulls back, cheeks bright red and a sheepish grin on his face.

“Okay, I’m sorry, that was incredibly weird and random,” he says, looking flustered. “I’m actually on the worst date of my life right now, and she won’t leave me alone. I panicked. You were here, and I thought—maybe if she sees me with someone else, she’ll get the hint.”

I stare at him in shock, still reeling from the kiss.

What an ass! Why would he use me to get a woman to leave him alone? Why wouldn’t he just leave?

I narrow my eyes and shake my head. I inhale slowly. I want to read him the riot act for making me an accessory to his bullshit, but all that comes out is an awkward laugh.

I’m not the type of woman to just randomly yell at someone. I’ll play it off as though it’s no big deal and walk away. It’s not like I’ll ever see this man again.

Too bad, because that kiss was out of this world.

“That is…quite possibly the strangest excuse I’ve ever heard. Did it work?”

He glances over his shoulder and winces. “Nope. She’s still staring daggers at me from across the patio.”

“Well, mission almost accomplished,” I tease, feeling giddy from the wine and the unexpected kiss. “I mean, a second kiss might do the trick.”

What? Don’t throw yourself at this man!

It’s been a while…scratch that. I’ve never been kissed like that.

“You think?” He chuckles.

“Why didn’t you just, you know, tell her you weren’t interested?”

He rubs the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed. “I tried! She’s my cousin’s friend, and he begged me to be nice, but she’s convinced we’re soulmates because our names both start with D.”

I snort, trying to hold back my laughter. “A soulmate by initial? Now that’s a new one.”

“Right?” he says, glancing over again, and I can see the panic returning to his face as she starts to head our way. “Okay, I’m really sorry. That was out of line.”

He lets out a groan, running his hand over his face. When he stops, it’s like he put on a mask, and that easygoing man is completely gone.

“I was caught off guard, but…”

“No,” he almost growls. “I shouldn’t even be on this date. I’m not ready and…my apologies.”

With that, he turns on his heel and quickly stalks away. I’m standing here staring after him, wondering what in the hell just happened.

Can he kiss me like that again? Because I’m a puddle of need after that.

No! Why am I like this?

I only want him to kiss me again because my ego needs a boost after being cheated on by Tommy. Any other time, I would have smacked that man across the face for violating my space.

Get it together, Amber.

What an insane turn of events. I was all excited about coming back, but now I’m just confused and appalled, too.

Am I going to have to see that man again?