Amber thought she’d closed the door on love for good. After years of heartbreak, she’d built her peace around quiet evenings, steady work, and the gentle rhythm of solitude. No expectations. No disappointments. Just calm.
But fate doesn’t always honor our plans.
It happened one Saturday afternoon when her father hosted a family barbecue. The smell of grilled ribs filled the air, kids laughed in the yard, and that’s when she saw him — Steve, her father’s old friend. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and carried a quiet confidence that didn’t demand attention. A few gray streaks framed his temples, giving him the kind of charm that comes with life experience.
Her father waved her over with his spatula. “Amber, meet Steve — worked with me back in the day.”
Steve smiled and offered his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
When she shook it, something unspoken passed between them — not fireworks, not infatuation, but familiarity. Like she’d known him from somewhere before.
That barbecue changed everything.
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