I was thrilled when Schick Quattro YOU™ commissioned me to write a story about backpacking because enjoying nature is one of my favorite things to do! I find being outside and having a moment to decompress can really help when I'm struggling or have writer's block. I hope you take some time for yourself today to decompress and relax even if it's reading this story. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Grace McCaffery knew two things. One, her best friend, Kristy could talk someone's ear off, and two, if Grace didn't get off the phone, she would be late for her part-time job.

"That sounds amazing," Grace murmured as Kristy went on about her internship. She checked her watch. Ten minutes and she still had to change. "I should—"

Kristy sighed happily. "Being here and doing all this, it just...it's starting to feel real, you know? Like I really can do anything."

Grace wasn't a jealous person by nature but hearing about her best friend's exploits had her feeling green. Both had gotten their degree in International Relations, but while Kristy was off visiting foreign lands, Grace was stuck in her hometown of Banner Hill.

Banner Hill wasn't a bad place to live. Like most small towns, it had that friendly and trusting atmosphere that came when everyone knew everyone. Heck, her parents didn't even lock their front door when they left. But while Banner Hill was the picture of apple pies and warm smiles, the town never changed. Mr. Fairchild still taught seventh-grade math, the ice cream shop on Fourth Avenue still sold the same flavors, and Mrs. Bridgeport still knitted those horrible sweaters that everyone pretended to love. And for Grace, that was a problem. How could she grow and change in a town that was against the very thing she was trying to do?

After hanging up with Kristy, Grace quickly changed into her uniform—khaki pants and a black polo. Then she took out the hair clip at the top of her head and shook out her mahogany curls. Rushing to the vanity, she added a little mascara and a quick swipe of her favorite lip gloss.

She was tying her shoes when her mom called out, "Grace! Do you want me to pack you a lunch?"

"I'm good," she yelled back.

"What about a little snack? I have apple slices and some peanut butter."

Grace was appreciative of her parents letting her move back into their house, but they acted like she was a kid, not a twenty-two year old with a college degree. "That's okay, Mom. I can always get something there if I need to."

"You sure?"

"Yup."

"Okay. What time will you be back?"

Grace sighed. It was going to take time getting used to living with her parents again. She just wished it would happen faster. "My shift ends at five."

"Just in time for dinner. Is roast beef okay with you? I know it's your favorite."

A wave of shame washed over Grace. Here she was complaining while her mom was only thinking about her. "Sounds perfect. Do you need me to bring back anything?"

"I don't think so. I'll text you if I do."

When Grace finally arrived at Banner Market, the local convenience store, she was ten minutes late. "I'm so sorry," she told Meg, the manager. "Won't happen again." She couldn't afford to be making mistakes already. She'd only started the cashier job a few days ago.

Luckily, Meg was lenient. "Just be sure to mark the correct time."

Grace gave her a grateful smile, then took her spot at the register and began ringing up a customer. The hours passed, and finally, someone came to relieve Grace for her lunch break. Grace picked up a sandwich from the local deli and ate.

When she was finished, Grace still had a few minutes before she had to clock in again, so she returned to the Banner Market and wandered down the beauty aisles. She loved seeing new products and launches from her favorite brands. It was one of the perks working there. Plus, the fact that she got an employee discount.

Grace was looking at a mascara display when she remembered she needed a new razor. Walking over, Grace perused the choices. A row of brightly colored razors caught her attention. As Grace picked up a Schick Quattro YOU™ razor and read the back, she was struck by the contrast between the razor and herself.

Grace liked bold and exciting things, and yet, she was at the Banner Market giving the same greeting, and doing the same mindless action customer after customer. This wasn't who she was, but how could she change that?

She was about to pay for the razor when someone said, "If it isn't Grace McCaffery back from the big city." The husky voice washed over Grace reminding her of carefree days and wild nights.

"Miles Darby," she said, turning around. Her ex-boyfriend hadn't changed much. He still had that devilish grin and imposing eyes that could get him out of the tightest of situations. However, there was a polish to him she hadn't seen before. His jet-black hair was styled, and his clothes were crisp and fitted. "How the hell are you?"

Eyes twinkling, he lifted her off the ground and gave her a tight hug. Inhaling deeply, he replied, "I'm good," then set her back down. "I heard you were back, but I thought it was just a rumor."

Grace's expression tightened. Miles, out of anyone in Banner Hill, knew how much she wanted to get out. "Rumors got it right this time. I'm back."

His face softened. "Well, I'm glad you're here. Certainly, livens up the place up a bit."

"I'm surprised you're here." Back in high school, they talked for hours about leaving. In fact, the second they graduated, Miles high-tailed it out of town with nothing but his guitar and a bag of clothes.

"Plans have a way of changing," Miles responded.

Grace nodded thinking of her own plans. "You still rocking out on the guitar?" His dream had been to become a famous musician. Even had a band in high school.

"What am I without my music?"

"Glad to hear it." She wondered what brought him back. Had New York not worked out? "Are you here permanently or is this a transition period?"

"Well, I've been here four years, so I guess permanently. Plus, I think Principal Tanenbaum would be pissed if I left and broke my teaching contract."

"You're a teacher?" she asked in disbelief.

Miles let out a low chuckle. "Don't sound so surprised."

"I'm not," she protested. Then thought it over. "Actually, yeah, I am. You never seemed like the type." Miles hated school. Ditched it all the time. "What do you teach?"

Miles put his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. "You're looking at the person in charge of Banner Hill's very prestigious music program."

It took a moment for Grace to process. Mr. Trouble himself, now in charge of teenagers. "Wow. Congratulations, Miles. That means you're head of the band and choir and all that, right?"

"Yup. It's very glamorous. Comes with all types of perks. Horrible teacher coffee and tons of paperwork." He was joking, but she saw the quiet pride in his eyes. He loved his job.

"I'm glad you found something you enjoy. Good for you." And she was genuinely happy for him, but also felt a bit betrayed. He was supposed to want to get out of Banner Hill as much as she did. What changed?

"I'm guessing you're here for as little time as possible?" Miles asked.

Grace's defensives went up. "You make it sound like wanting to get away makes me a bad person. I remember when you were the same way. We both wanted to get out, right?"

There was a long pause, before he murmured, "Yeah, you're right." Grace waited for him to go on, explain what changed, but instead, he said, "I heard you moved out east after college."

"Um, yeah. I got a job at a non-profit that worked to end world hunger. I was there for about a year till they went through a rough patch and had to downsize." A deep longing welled up inside of her. Grace had loved that job. Not only had her co-workers been amazing to work with, but she'd been making a true difference.

Miles nodded in understanding. "Ah, economy. Always a rollercoaster."

"Tell me about it. I applied for other jobs, but nothing's worked out so here I am." She motioned around her. "At the Banner Market. Ringing up customers."

"It could be worse."

"I used to babysit my manager."

Miles winced. "Ouch. Okay, that's pretty bad, but the Grace I knew never let anything get her down."

"The Grace you knew also wore way too much eyeliner and liked to spray on a pound of hairspray." Although, he did have a point. She couldn't let this setback stop her from trying. She just had to buck up, and think positively.

Miles looked around the store. "Hey, remember when you used to come in here and make me buy you all those fashion magazines?"

The memory brought a smile to her face. "I didn't make you buy them. You offered."

"That's because you wouldn't let me drive your car unless I bought them for you."

"It's not my fault you didn't have a car in high school. Think of those magazines as gas money. Funny thing, I found a stack of them under my bed the other day while I was cleaning."

Grace remembered how obsessed she had been with fashion magazines. Nowadays, she didn't need to buy those magazines since there were so many great fashion and makeup blogs on the web.

Miles groaned, "It was embarrassing. And you wouldn't let me just give you the money either. You made me come in and physically get a copy. Mr. Dean still gives me weird looks every time I see him."

"What a teenage boy will do for a car."

A man with a basket full of products tapped her shoulder. "Excuse me, Miss? I'm ready to check out."

Technically, she wasn't on the clock, but she didn't see anyone by the registers, so she said, "Of course. I'll be right with you." Grace waited till the man left before turning to Miles. "I better go. It was nice seeing you, though."

"You too. Guess I'll see you around," Miles said, though it sounded more like a question.

"It's a small town. I'm sure we'll bump into each other."

He cocked his head to the side, a gleam entering his grey eyes. "Or we could plan to meet."

His invitation shouldn't have come as such as shock, but it did. Maybe because hanging out with an ex-boyfriend never even crossed her mind. As tempting as he was—and make no mistake, Miles Darby was one tempting man—she wasn't interested in developing anything. She'd come home to reorganize her life, not add another complication.

"Why not leave it to fate?" she suggested.

"You still believe in that?"

"And you still don't." Grace remembered being wrapped in each other's arms debating the topic under a sea of stars. His impassioned argument had contradicted everything Grace believed in, and yet, it made her fall for him even more. How could she not when he practically vibrated with conviction? His passion drew her in like a moth to a flame. However, that was a long time ago, and they were no longer the same young kids.

Miles searched her face for a few moments, then surprised her when he said, "Guess we'll see which one us is right. See ya around, Grace."

As she watched him leave, Grace saw the cocky swagger he sported as a teenager had fled and in its place was unwavering confidence. It spoke of a man who knew he was and what he wanted. What had happened in Miles life that led him there? And what exactly had he meant by his last statement?