Emma Talbot never thought her small café would be anything more than a place for morning coffee and cinnamon scones. But when her childhood friend now Officer Luke Walker steps back into her world, memories she buried long ago come rushing back. He was once the boy who noticed her when no one else did. Now he’s a man marked by scars, with walls she’s not sure she can reach.
Luke’s return to town was meant to be a reset, a break from years of chasing chaos. Then he sees Emma again, and the quiet steadiness he’s been missing comes alive. Morning coffees turn into long conversations, but the fear of loss keeps them both cautious.
When danger slips into Emma’s life and Luke’s past weighs on every choice, trust becomes the one thing they can’t afford to lose.
Will they let fear dictate the ending, or risk everything for love?
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Part of the sweet romance series “Forever by Your Side,” where every friendship blossoms into a timeless love story.
Forever by Your Side is a series where friendship quietly grows into something lasting. Each standalone story follows two people who’ve shared years together neighbors, classmates, childhood companions only to realize their bond runs deeper than they ever named. Set in close-knit towns filled with trust and belonging, the romances shine a light on everyday heroes: teachers, nurses, firefighters, soldiers. With tender moments, steady courage, and endings filled with hope, these wholesome tales remind us that love often begins with the person who’s been beside us all along.
Sometimes forever starts with a best friend.
