Page 1 of Can't Get Over You
Prologue
TWELVE YEARS AGO
When Finlay O’Neilllifted the pile of laundry off the floor, something hairy brushed against her wrist.
It was bristly. It was big. And it was alive.
With a shriek, she dropped the clothing, and out scurried a baby raccoon.
Fear ripped through her, making her hair stand on end.
She bolted out of the apartment, only realizing she didn’t have her phone when she ran down the flight of stairs. And since she could never go back inside as long as she lived, she couldn’t call anyone for help.
Her heart thundered, and the ice-cold air burned the back of her throat. The moment she hit the sidewalk, she collided with a large, hard body. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry.” Flustered and sweating, she locked eyes with the guy.
No.
Not him.
Of all the people in the entire town, why did it have to be Jude McKenna?
“Fee?” Concern tightened the skin around his eyes.
Any other time, she’d be thrilled to see him. But not when she was wearing fuzzy brown moose slippers, gym shorts, and her dad’s Golf Pro sweatshirt.
And no bra.
Her arms crossed over her chest, and she wanted a sinkhole to open under her feet and swallow her up.
“What’s wrong?” The two words shot out of his mouth, clipped and urgent.
She couldn’t think, let alone speak. Not when her feet were tucked into the belly of a stuffed moose, the antlers sticking out and bobbing when she moved.
But as much as she didn’t want to see him looking like this, she needed help. “Jude, I?—”
Her jaw snapped shut when she noticed his companion.
Leia Collins.
Her former best friend.
The sting of betrayal traveled through her body as fast as a bullet.
No.
She bolted. As she hurried off, snowmelt dampened the bottom of her slippers. She wished she had her phone. Then again, who could she call? Her parents were working. Neither could take time off to rescue her from a freakingraccoon.
Her best friend would drop everything and come running. She knew that, for sure. But Willa was at the salon, getting ready for prom. No way would Finlay bother her for something so silly.
Boots hitting pavement caught up with her. “Hey,” Jude called. “What the hell’s going on?”
Unable to even look at him, she waved him away. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
But he reached for her arm and turned her to face him.
God.
It happened every time she saw him.
