Stories

Low Tide

The only man who can save your sinking inn is your brother's best friend. Six weeks, one working bathroom, and his hands all over the house.

"I'd say hi first, but it's really gone."

Material Terms

Your audit could kill his merger—and your brother's job. The maddeningly charming CEO gives you every secret, then brings cheese bread at midnight.

"Please tell me you're looking at holiday destinations."

The Shallows

Your father's wedding puts you six thin-walled nights above his best man's workshop. Wade taught you to drive at sixteen; at twenty-seven, he's finally looking.

"Mom said you weren't supposed to do any work this week."

Reserve

He owns the most famous cellar in the city and has never opened a bottle. You have eight weeks to sell it, on his terms.

"That's what you're here for."

After Service

You came for a kitchen of your own. Your new head chef keeps a spoon beside your station, and the best part of every shift happens after the doors close.

"They'd like to know whether you can get them on the train they've missed."

The Usual Seat

Your best friend knows how you take your coffee, where you hide the good biscuits, and exactly how to make moving out feel like a terrible idea.

"Sorry. The advert wasn't clear."

Return Ticket

Your ex is still the best person to get lost with. Unfortunately, this time you need him to be somewhere on purpose—and stay long enough to mean it.

"Mara thinks people remember the phrase. I told her we remember it too."

The Spare Hour

He has a school bag in his van, a custody calendar on his fridge, and one free evening this week. He would very much like to spend it with you.

"I may have described it as ready to sell too confidently."

The Sunday Table

He knows how to cook for a crowd and has forgotten how to ask one woman to dinner. You keep giving him reasons to practice.

"There. Very handsome. Very little personal history."

Fence Line

You came to Redbank for a veterinary partnership. You didn't plan on the rancher who barely speaks to anyone saving his best lines—and his passenger seat—for you.

"Beau Tarrant. Willa's bringing the records. You're earlier than the last person."

Market Day

You came to change the town market. Its favorite baker has opinions, an unfair smile, and a standing invitation to argue after everyone else has gone home.

"I brought breakfast and an objection. I was hoping you'd start with breakfast."

What You Owe

Your brother's debt puts you under an underboss's mark; the investigator hunting him offers escape. One promises an unlocked door—and both hide the truth from you.

"Tell me that's smaller than it looks."

Bride Price

Your father ends a dock war by making you the bride price. Your new husband asks for nothing, but looks at you like restraint is costing him.

"The switch is behind the curtain. Irina dislikes seeing it."

Corrections

Your anonymous fact-checker has sealed court pages—and a trail to the bodies your podcast covers. He knows every word you've said, and wants to go off the record.

"March fourth. The docket's on page four. I'd hate for him to be misremembered."

Stolen Sky

A seven-foot horned warrior finds you freezing on an ice moon and offers you all his heat. A second heartbeat stirs under your ribs when he looks at you.

"I'm doing my best."

A House for the Rain

He moves houses for a living and ducks through every door. You only need him to carry your bathhouse upriver. He keeps making room for you to stay.

"Not yet! There's a problem in here."

The Third Bell

Three vampire brothers find the one woman their glamour cannot touch. None can take what you don't offer—and all three want you to offer.

"We expected you before the bell."

The Unlit Room

Your family would rather see you anywhere than at his piano. He has survived two centuries without a heartbeat, and still gets up when you enter the room.

"Leila said you'd be here at six."

Off the Path

You leave the path, and three wolf-men who remember every step you've taken find you. They cannot take what you don't give—and all three intend to tempt you.

"She'll do that again, you know. Same patch of grass. Terrible judgment."

Emberhold

The scarred commander swore no one with your name would ride a wyvern. Now he must train you through a tether that lets him feel every disobedient pulse.

"An unusually useful choice, wouldn't you say?"

The Taster

You kiss the emperor to kill him. He survives, makes your lethal mouth taste every cup he drinks, and wants you to do it again.

"Tell the cellar that one's turned."

The Sealed Year

A quiet, gloved Keeper carries your missing year inside his head. Your mind doesn't remember him, but your hands know his locks and your body knows his voice.

"You opened that in four seconds."

In Good Keeping

You take charge of a cursed keep and its dangerously attractive sorcerer. He needs you gone before a year and a day binds you to his house—and to him.

"Oh, thank goodness. You can read the labels. The last one shouted."

The Lantern Vow

Twelve days through the dark with a devout knight who signed the report that ruined your mother. His vow forbids courtship; desire could cost him everything.

"The fen can find its own dog."

The Night Orchard

The fae prince came to claim your orchard. Now its roots answer to you, and the prince in the immaculate coat is kneeling in your dirt.

"Did you make that graft?"

Sin Bin

The league's angriest captain comes to your table with blood on his knuckles. Twenty-six road games make touching him routine—and wanting him fireable.

"Grade one. You're playing Thursday."

Slipstream

He thinks nine words from you cost him the title. Now you're the only voice in his helmet—and the only person he obeys at three hundred kilometers an hour.

"Deb, put the two-stop beside the one-stop. He's protecting that rear left. We need to know what it costs us on Sunday."

Borrowed Applause

Your comeback needs a crowd. His love life needs a better headline. Pretending to date tennis's favorite showman would be easier if he stopped remembering your best shots.

"I still hate that serve."