Christmas has always been my favorite time of year, but when my Grinch of a landlord decides to raise the rent on my bakery and a new candy shop opens directly across from me, I’m anything but jolly.

The problem is that it’s not just ANY candy shop— it’s an over-the-top fancy chocolaterie owned by none other than Ryder Jones— former best friend and the boy who unknowingly stole my heart in high school.

He may have come back from Nashville with a big city mindset, but my small town heart knows how to win over the locals. I just need to stay focused on my business and not let his charming personality squeeze its way into my life. The magic of the holidays have a way of making things look sweeter than they are.