It's been four, long, and painfully single years since my drunken hookup with Mr. Blue Eyes. His fading memory and unrealistic fantasies have sustained me thus far, but I'm lonely, tired of being the strong one while everything falls apart.

After making a deal with my mom, I jump back into the dating pool and come up for air with Derek. He's sexy, funny, sweet—everything I could possibly want in a man, both for myself and my daughter. For the first time in my life, I'm excited about the future.

In walks Mr. Grumpy/Braden with his disgusting beard and perpetual self-loathing. Mr. Grumpy saves my life, but I wasn't prepared for Braden's dark truth. What he's done can never be forgiven. But I've got a secret too, and I'm hanging on to it until I'm sure he isn't some psycho head case.