Sweet. Savory. Slightly unhinged. Who doesn’t want a love story like that?

I, Marlow Brown, do not.

I have goals. I run a diner, and I’m saving for a beach vacation where a man who looks like Cristiano Ronaldo serves me drinks in coconuts. I’m also raising my teenage brother. Helping Brady reach adulthood without going to juvie is my top priority—along with teaching him to drive and keeping the truth about him a secret. Minor goals.

I just have to put out the literal fire in my kitchen first.

Luckily, my friend August is here to help. He’s always here—putting out fires, rescuing me from the walk-in fridge, and being way too observant for comfort. Usually, I repay him in pancakes, but I’m starting to suspect he wants something else.

(Me. August wants me. I’m afraid I might want him, too. And we’re going to mess up all of my plans.)