Harboring You Seaside Bay, ten years ago The summer carnival lights shimmered across the harbor, casting golden streaks on the dark water. Jo Taylor stood at the edge of the pier, the salt air cool against her sun warmed skin, her heart thudding harder than it should have. She was fourteen and hopelessly in love. Noah Carter was somewhere behind her, probably hauling crates of lobster with his brothers or avoiding the crowd like he always did. Three years older, impossibly handsome in her eyes, and entirely out of reach. He never noticed her not really. Not beyond the quick nod when their eyes met at school or the polite smile when she refilled his Coke at Harper's Diner. But Jo noticed him. She noticed the way his shoulders hunched like the weight of the world was always pressing down. She noticed how he'd rather slip away into the quiet than join the noise and laughter. She noticed the rare, unguarded smile that lit his face when he thought no one was looking. And though she would never admit it out loud, she told herself that someday, somehow, he'd see her too. Behind her, a voice carried on the breeze low, unsure, and achingly familiar. "Joce?" Her breath caught. She turned slightly, heart leaping at the sight of him in the shadows, hands shoved deep in his pockets, eyes flicking away the moment she looked. For half a heartbeat, she thought he might step closer, say something more, stay. But then his brother called his name, and Noah turned, retreating into the night without another word. Jo stood there long after he was gone, clutching the moment like a secret she would keep close to her heart. Because even if Noah Carter never noticed her, Jo knew one thing with absolute certainty: She would never forget him. Not tonight. Not ever.