The small town of Crestwood had always held a certain magic, an inexplicable pull that brought people back no matter how far they wandered. For as long as she could remember, Ivy Carter had wanted to leave. She dreamed of city lights, of adventure beyond the winding roads and endless fields that stretched beyond the town limits. And she did leave—briefly. But something, or rather someone, always seemed to pull her back.
Caleb Rivers.
The boy with the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. The boy whose smile made her weak in the knees, even now, after all these years.
They had spent their youth wrapped in each other, lost in endless summer nights by the lake, dancing in the headlights of his old Chevy, dreaming of forever. But forever was complicated. Life had its way of throwing obstacles in their path—college, careers, distance, pride. They had walked away more times than she could count, only to find themselves right back in the same place, standing at the crossroads of love and uncertainty.
And now, here they were again.
She stood on the porch of the old diner, her hands wrapped around a warm cup of coffee, the scent of freshly baked pies wafting through the evening air. The sky above was painted with hues of pink and purple, a prelude to the starlit night that would soon blanket the town. Ivy had come back for a short visit, or so she told herself. She never planned to stay, but something always made it harder to leave.
The bell above the door jingled, and before she even turned around, she knew.
Caleb.
He stepped out onto the porch, his hands in his pockets, that familiar smirk playing on his lips. “Didn’t think I’d see you here.”
Ivy took a sip of her coffee, trying to steady the racing of her heart. “Didn’t think I’d be here.”
He chuckled, stepping closer. “And yet, here you are.”
There was a comfortable silence between them, the kind that only existed between two people who had shared everything, who had hurt each other and forgiven each other more times than they could count.
“You know,” Caleb said after a moment, “you light the fire in my heart.”
Ivy laughed softly, shaking her head. “Still a smooth talker, I see.”
“I’m serious.” He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Every time I see you, it’s like no time has passed at all.”
She sighed, looking out at the horizon. “We’ve been through this before, Caleb. We always end up right here. What if we walked away for good this time?”
He was quiet for a long moment before answering. “And what if we held on?”
Her heart clenched at his words.
Under the starlight sky tonight, they could take a chance. They could crash and burn, or maybe—just maybe—they were written in the stars.
Caleb held out his hand. “Come with me.”
Ivy hesitated. She knew what he was asking. One more ride. One more night. But could it be more? Could they finally get it right this time?
She looked into his eyes, that brilliant shade of blue that had always undone her.
Let’s take this ride, she thought. It’s a beautiful drive.
She placed her hand in his, letting the warmth of his touch chase away her fears. Whatever happened next, she knew one thing for certain.
Caleb still lit the fire in her heart.
Coffee & a Playlist 