Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout)

Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon.

Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride.

Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way…with fists and beer. Usually in that order.

Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of.

There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.

At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.

Chapter One: The Beginning

It was the summer of 1998 when Jess and Ethan first met. They were both attending a summer camp, and they quickly became friends. Jess was shy and reserved, while Ethan was outgoing and adventurous. Despite their differences, they had an instant connection.

As the weeks passed, their friendship blossomed into something more. They spent their days hiking, swimming, and exploring the outdoors. They shared their hopes, dreams, and fears with each other. It was as if they had known each other their entire lives.

But as the summer drew to a close, they knew that they would have to say goodbye. They exchanged phone numbers and promised to keep in touch. Jess returned home feeling grateful for the memories they had made together.

Chapter Two: The Distance

Over the next few months, Jess and Ethan spoke on the phone regularly. They shared stories about their lives, their families, and their new school year. But as the weeks went on, their conversations became less frequent.

Jess was busy with schoolwork and extracurricular activities, while Ethan was focused on his athletic pursuits. They both made new friends, but their connection began to fade.

Despite their distance, Jess never forgot about Ethan. She kept a photo of them from camp on her nightstand and thought about him often. She wondered what might have happened if they had stayed in touch.

Chapter Three: The Reunion

Ten years later, Jess was scrolling through social media when she stumbled upon Ethan's profile. She felt a rush of excitement and clicked on his page. She saw photos of him traveling the world, climbing mountains, and living life to the fullest.

She hesitated before sending him a message, wondering if he would even remember her. But to her surprise, he responded almost immediately. They spent the next few weeks catching up on everything that had happened in their lives.

Jess was thrilled to see that Ethan had become even more adventurous and daring. She had always admired his fearlessness, and she felt a twinge of envy as she scrolled through his photos. But she also felt a sense of sadness, realizing that they had missed out on so much time together.

Chapter Four: The Regrets

As Jess and Ethan continued to talk, they both felt a sense of regret. They wondered what might have happened if they had stayed in touch all those years ago. Would they have become more than friends? Would they have traveled the world together?

They realized that they had missed out on so much because of their own insecurities and fears. They had been too afraid to take risks, to pursue their passions, and to open their hearts to each other.

But it wasn't too late. They made a plan to meet in person, to reconnect and to see where their friendship might lead. They both felt nervous and excited at the prospect of seeing each other again.

Chapter Five: The Future

As Jess and Ethan sat across from each other in a café, they felt a sense of familiarity and ease. They talked for hours, sharing stories about their lives and their dreams. They laughed, they reminisced, and they wondered what the future might hold.

As they parted ways, they both felt a sense of hope. They knew that they had missed out on a lot over the years, but they also knew that they had the power to create a new future. They vowed to stay in touch, to take risks, and to pursue their passions.

Years later, as they looked back on their lives, they realized that the things they never got over were the missed opportunities, the regrets, and the what-ifs. But they also knew that those experiences had led them to where they were today, and that they were grateful for every moment, both good and bad. They had learned that life was about taking