The Poet’s Cookbook by Piper Lennox

A lifetime ago, Hudson Barringer gifted me soul-wrenching words and an incredible summer.

In return, without even trying – I ruined him.
For those six weeks, I was more than just Josie. I was his.
We were kids: I have to keep reminding myself of that. Whatever we had nine years ago, it wasn’t real. But whatever we have now…it’s real enough toscare the hell out of me.
Days at his diner, nights in his car: it’s only a matter of time before the past catches up to us. I’m learning nostalgia, like summer, is a powerful drug.
The rest of the world thinks Hudson is best at silence. Sometimes, I worry that’s true.
But I know, deep down like an old scar, that he’s capable of the most beautiful, heartbreaking words imaginable. Able to claim me in one breathless touch.
Perfectly capable of ruining me back.
And this time…I want to let him.
* * *

That’s the problem with second chances: you need to stand a chance in the first place.
When we were sixteen, Josie Gerard pulled words out of me I never thought I’d say. Then she was the one who went silent.
Screw nostalgia. Our deal is simple: she gets some recipes for her pandering little book, a few stories—then she leaves me alone. Forever. Until recently, she was pretty damn good at that.
I can’t trust Josie. I know better than to fall for the girl who doesn’t believe in falling.
At least…I thought I did.