Beg, Borrow, or Steal

Emily and Jack have been enemies since freshman year of college when he spilled coffee on her. They both ended up as teachers in Rome, KY, until Jack left to live with his fiancée in Nebraska. Emily thought she was finally free of him, until he shows up at her school and at “her” table at the local diner, after calling off his wedding. They fall back into their old ways but also find that they’re falling for each other. Matters become tense when Jack purchases the dilapidated house next door to Emily. Fixing the house at all hours of the night, shirtless no less, infuriates Emily—and they’re both keeping secrets about their side careers as writers. When those secrets inadvertently get out, they find themselves working together, and things quickly ignite between them. The characters also grapple with harbored family secrets and emotional abuse.