elidrama and i don't mix. never have.but fiona cafferty? she's a walking whirlwind in tight jeans-and unfortunately, my new trail guide partner. perfect. we've been oil and water since high school. she's all sass, sunshine, and trouble in denim. i'm the quiet one-hands calloused, jaw set, no patience for nonsense. i'm here in poplar springs to work hard and build a steady life for my son. but she's in my space, in my head, and damn if i don't catch myself watching her when i shouldn't. then she drops a lie that spreads like wildfire-tells folks we're dating.says it's just to help me save face after my two-timing ex tried to make a fool of me. now we're faking it.smiles, hand-holding, playing couple for the town. it was supposed to be temporary. just a story to shut people up.but she fits into my life-and my son's-too easily. and every day, it feels less like a lie... and more like the one thing i didn't know we were missing. fionait was just one tiny lie.okay-one giant, town-shaking, gossip-fuelling lie. but it was to protect eli carter. he didn't deserve to be cut down by his ex-not in front of half of poplar springs. so, i said we were dating. figured we'd fake it for a week, maybe two, then go our separate ways. now? we're playing house on the trails, sharing long rides, longer glances, and things that feel a little too real. eli's not just the strong, silent type-he's a wall of grit and quiet heat. a protective father with a soft spot he keeps buried deep. the kind of man who doesn't say much, but when he does, you feel it in your bones. i used to think he barely tolerated me. now he's looking at me like i might be the only reason he'd ever stick around. this was never supposed to be serious.but i think i just crossed the line between pretend and something that could break me wide open.