Crossing Paths with the White Wolf

The train screeched into the station with a sharp metallic wail, breaking the quiet hum of Riverbend's sleepy autumn morning. Emily Monroe clutched her travel bag, hesitating for a moment before stepping onto the platform. A gust of crisp air tugged at her coat, carrying with it the familiar scents of woodsmoke and damp leaves. The town looked exactly as she remembered-quaint, idyllic, and painfully slow compared to the whirlwind of New York City.

She adjusted the strap on her shoulder and took a deep breath. This wasn't where she wanted to be. The thought lingered in her mind like a bitter aftertaste. But after the disastrous fallout with her last client and her reputation teetering on the brink, she hadn't had much of a choice.

The sight of Lily Dawson waving from a beat-up red pickup jolted her from her thoughts. Her childhood best friend looked unchanged, with her wild blonde curls escaping from under a knit beanie and a grin that could light up the grayest day.

"Emily!" Lily bounded over, enveloping her in a hug so tight it knocked the air out of her. "Look at you! All fancy and city-chic. You're gonna make the rest of us Riverbend folk look bad."

Emily forced a laugh, the corners of her mouth twitching upward. "You're exaggerating. It's just a coat."

"It's a *designer* coat," Lily teased, stepping back to appraise her. "And heels. In *Riverbend.* Girl, you're lucky this is paved ground, or you'd be eating dirt by now."

Emily sighed, gesturing toward the truck. "Can we skip the commentary and just go? It's been a long trip."

Lily held up her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Grumpy already. Let's get you settled before you start scaring the locals."

The ride through town was a stark contrast to Emily's usual rush-hour commutes. Main Street was dotted with mom-and-pop shops, their wooden signs swinging gently in the breeze. The bakery still had its signature display of pies in the window, and the hardware store looked exactly as it had a decade ago.

Lily kept up a steady stream of chatter about town gossip, but Emily only half-listened, her thoughts swirling with the weight of her situation. Her mentor had called the library restoration project a "golden opportunity." She'd sold it as a chance to rebuild her confidence and portfolio. But to Emily, it felt like being sent to the minors after playing in the big leagues.

"Earth to Emily." Lily's voice cut through her reverie. "You're doing that thing where you stare out the window all broody. What's on your mind?"

Emily shook her head. "Nothing. Just... adjusting."

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Adjusting, huh? Well, don't get too cozy in your pity party. You're going to love this next part."

The truck slowed to a stop in front of the Riverbend Inn, a charming bed-and-breakfast with ivy climbing its stone façade. Emily stepped out, her heels clicking against the cobblestones, and surveyed her temporary home. It was quaint, picturesque even, but it only reminded her how far she'd fallen from her sleek Manhattan apartment.

Inside, the innkeeper greeted her warmly and handed over an old-fashioned brass key. Lily helped haul her suitcase upstairs, chatting nonstop about the library project.

"Wait until you see it," Lily said, grinning. "It's got character. You're going to work magic on it, Em."

Emily dropped her bag onto the bed and turned to her friend. "You're awfully optimistic about this. I haven't even seen it yet."

"Trust me." Lily gave her a conspiratorial wink. "You're going to love it."

---

The library was worse than she'd imagined.

Peeling paint, warped wood, and shattered windows greeted her when she arrived at the site the next morning. The once-grand building stood in a sorry state, its facade barely holding onto a sense of dignity. The town council must have been desperate to find someone willing to take on this project.

A deep voice interrupted her inspection. "Well, look who's back."

Emily turned, and her stomach sank. Jake Harper stood leaning against the frame of his pickup truck, tool belt slung low on his hips and a cocky smirk plastered across his face. He hadn't changed much since high school, except now he seemed taller, broader, and even more insufferable.