Page 1 of Break Me Like a Promise (Oak Valley)

1

With one slam of the moving truck door, Ruby saw her life in New York City disappear. The cold December air cut into her skin, burning her lungs. Crossing her arms over her chest, she willed the tears not to fall. She’d fought so hard to get to this point… and now she was going right back where she started.

Rachel’s hand rested on her shoulder. Her boss at Maven Media had quickly become a friend, and her presence was reassuring.

“I hate this.”

“I know, babe.”

“And you’re sure you don’t mind me working from home?” Ruby turned to her friend, squaring her shoulders. Rachel had taken a chance when she hired Ruby. Her state college degree didn’t compare to those of private schools, and Ruby had bounced around the city trying to find stable housing while she tried to prove she was a hard worker, a smart hire, while sending money to support her mom.

Rachel smiled, rubbing Ruby’s arms. “Positive. You know Ella and I don’t really care about attendance, so long as the work gets done. Your mom needs you, and we’re all here for you. As friends, coworkers, whatever you need.”

Ruby nodded, not fully believing it. But Ella and Rachel — Maven Media’s co-founders — were always generous. In this case, they were not only allowing her to work from home, two hours north in the small town of Oak Valley, they were giving her three paid weeks off. She knew it was partly because of Christmas, but she also knew they wanted her to settle in and not have to worry about working while she dealt with doctor’s appointments and moving.

“‘Scuse me? Could you please sign?” One of the movers thrust a sheet of paper at her.

“Here you go,” Ruby said, handing him the signed receipt. “And if you could just take a picture of the storage unit when you’re done and text it to me, that’d be great.”

He nodded before climbing back into the truck, turning the engine.

She watched the truck leave with her non-essential belongings, revealing the rental car in front that was packed with the essentials. She wasn’t sure what awaited her in her home town upstate, but whatever it was, Ruby wanted to have what she needed. Oak Valley, small as it was, was always full of surprises.

Hopefully her childhood sweetheart wouldn’t be one of them. Her mind wandered to her strapping first love, his broad shoulders and muscled torso. The way his dark hair burned umber in the sunlight, his dimples that threatened…

“Okay, you ready?” Rachel asked.

Ruby came back to the present. The last thing she needed was to be thinking of her hot ex-boyfriend. There was a reason they’d broken up. Even if it was ten years ago.

She turned to her friend, surprised to see wet eyes. Rachel was glossy, chic. Pulled together, sometimes cold. Ruby felt her own eyes well.

“Stop it. If you don’t stop, you’ll get me started.” Ruby laughed as a tear escaped.

Rachel laughed, wiping her cheeks. “Sorry, I’m not good with goodbyes.”

“I’ll be back.”

Rachel just nodded, heightening the knot in Ruby’s stomach. She didn’t know when — or if — she’d return. She assumed she’d move home, take care of her mom, who would quickly get better, and before long, be back in New York City where she belonged.

She was telling herself a story she didn’t believe the ending to, and Rachel didn’t seem to believe it either.

2

Colton glanced from his phone to his little sister, shamelessly flirting with one of the other mechanics. His ex-football star status should’ve been an automatic deterrent for any guy that wanted to look twice at Katie, but clearly that was a boundary that needed to be reset. He was right fucking there, but they were acting like he didn’t exist.

Damian threw Katie a wink before taking off, leaving her giggling. Colton shook his head, returning to the small screen. He was a little surprised the only update his dream job posted was that they’d closed applications — he guessed they’d moved quickly with hiring.

It’d been a long shot, applying to work at the new San Francisco restaurant being opened by Pierre Hermé, France’s top pastry chef and one of Colton’s idols. After seeing the job posting on Instagram a few weeks ago, Colton applied on a whim. There was no way an ex-football star with zero professional pastry training would ever get the job. But Colton had learned the hard way that life was too short. He had to take risks. Plus, the job was on the other side of the country, and at this point, any place was better than Oak Valley. His football stardom had gotten him out, but it had also sent him right back where he started.

“Yo, broski.” Katie hopped up on the stool next to him. Working the family auto shop let them both work when and where they wanted — Colton usually stayed in the reception area, but Katie was usually elbow-deep in the hood of a car.

“I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t flirt with coworkers,” he said.

She gave him a blank stare before recognition hit. “Damian? Seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously.” Colton scowled as Katie laughed, fixing her ponytail. She was pretty — too pretty, with her long raven hair and brown doe-eyes — to constantly be surrounded by the guys in this godforsaken town. While he’d at least been able to get out into the world, Katie had always stayed put. He pushed aside the nagging thought of how okay she was with settling.

“Chill, Colt. It’s harmless. Besides, I know not to bring any guy around you. He’d disappear.” She nudged him. “You don’t need to always be my protector. I’m an adult.”

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