My life is content. Living and working in my small hometown of Pine Village is right where I want to be, especially with family and a few close friends nearby.

It’s taken me some time to dig my way out of the negative spotlight I found myself under a few years back, thanks to an old photo from college that resurfaced. That’s why I have rules: no social media, no drinking alcohol in public, and no dating the father of one of my students. Then, Gavin Pierson rescues me from the side of the road.

He’s not making it easy to say no, especially when he flashes that sexy boyish grin of his. The only problem is dating him would be a complication I’m not prepared to deal with, but he’s proving to be relentless.

Gavin

Something calls to me when I’m near my daughter’s shy fifth-grade teacher. I wanted Ava Rutledge when we were teenagers in high school, and now that seems to be the case once again.

However, she’s given herself strict guidelines, and despite the attraction I know she feels, convincing her to take a chance on us could be a challenge. It’s a good thing I’m a patient man. The biggest hurdle we face is the fact she’s my daughter’s teacher, and that’s the one rule she’s not willing to budge on.

I’m going to have to show her how much fun it can be when we break it.