Rei8

At twenty-nine, Callie Morgan had everything she thought she wanted—a steady career, a devoted fiancé, and a perfectly planned future. She and Kyle had spent nearly a decade building their love story, with their upcoming wedding meant to be the grand finale. But just as she prepared to step into forever, an unexpected event shatters everything, leaving Callie to pick up the pieces of a future that no longer exists.

Desperate for a fresh start, she escapes to a quiet town, hoping to find clarity in a life far removed from the one she left behind. What she doesn’t expect is to cross paths with an arrogant, frustratingly handsome stranger who challenges her at every turn. Their undeniable chemistry is as maddening as it is electric—until she discovers the twist. The man who’s been getting under her skin? He’s her new boss.

Callie begins to question everything she once believed about love and happiness. Sometimes, the most unexpected detours lead exactly where we’re meant to be.

Will Callie find the courage to embrace the unknown, or will she cling to the familiar, even when it no longer fits?

My Stranger Boss

The morning light filtered through the blinds, casting soft golden streaks across Callie's bedroom. She groggily reached for her phone, only to see Kyle's name flashing on the screen. Her heart clenched.

She hesitated before answering. "Hello?"

"Callie..." His voice was laced with something between regret and longing.

She shut her eyes tightly. "Don't do this, Kyle."

The words shattered her. She wanted to scream, to demand why he was doing this—why he couldn't just let her move on. Instead, she ended the call without another word and tossed her phone onto the bed. Her chest felt unbearably tight, the weight of emotions too much to bear.

Needing air, she grabbed a jacket and headed outside. The lake behind her house was still, its glassy surface reflecting the muted colors of the morning sky. She walked to the dock and sat down, burying her face in her hands as silent tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Crying over someone who's not crying over you? Pathetic."

Callie stiffened at the voice. She turned to see him—the stranger, her new neighbor—standing a few feet away, hands in his coat pockets. His cold expression hadn't changed, but something about the way he looked at her made her skin prickle.

She hastily wiped her tears, glaring at him. "Excuse me?"

He shrugged. "Just saying, he's not worth it."

She narrowed her eyes. "You don't know anything about it."

Callie scoffed, pushing herself to her feet. "You really have a talent for making people feel worse, don't you?"

He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and held it out to her. "Here."

She stared at it before snatching it from his hand. "Thanks, I guess."

He turned away, heading back toward his house. "Try not to waste more tears on him."

Callie exhaled sharply, clutching the handkerchief. This man was impossible.

Chapter 9 - Fractured Mornings