Falling for Autumn Again by Jen Atkinson

Ezra Bennett is like a drug. Autumn Green has been clean for ten long years.
But that doesn’t stop the cravings.

Autumn:
I got over Ezra a long time ago.
It was easy with us living two thousand miles apart. I sent him away the day I learned of Dad’s illness. I wouldn’t let my family issues stop him from getting out of this town and away from his father.
But out of the blue, he’s back, hired by my traitor friend and boss to design the bistro on our Christmas tree farm. The bistro I’ve been waiting ten long years to run.
Yep, irony has decided to punch me in the gut and laugh. Again.
My epic plan—ignore the man.
I’m trying. However, his new muscles and facial hair are stirring up feelings and making my ignoring efforts problematic.
I have to figure out how to sweep those feelings under the rug.
Because we have the same problem today that we had ten years ago.
Ezra can’t stay and I can’t leave.

Ezra:
Ten years ago I held the gold medal for kissing Autumn Green.
But that was another life. One that included an absent mother and an alcoholic father.
And of course, Autumn.
The thing is, back then, I’d take all the bad if it meant I got Autumn. I’d give up all my other dreams because she was the ultimate dream.
Until the day she tossed my heart into a food processor, chopping it into a million tiny pieces, and leaving it on her doorstep for the birds to peck at.
I’m only back in Wyoming, back in our home town because if I want to eat, I need a job. And I like eating.
So, I’ll help Autumn design her bistro for the Christmas Tree farm but that’s it.
Because I am not here for the girl.
At least that’s what I keep telling myself.