Problem

If I had to choose a person to hate, Alex Ramírez would've been first on the list… Welcome to Honey Creek, Illinois, where life was as sweet as the town's name suggested. That was until Mr. Fine Dining himself, Alex Ramírez, rolled into town with a permanent scowl. Even worse, he decided to park his snooty five-star restaurant across from my cozy dog daycare. He was tall, dark, and about as warm as a frozen entrée. After one too many unpleasant interactions, I was determined to stay out of his way and to keep him out of mine. But fate had a quirky sense of humor. When Alex inherited his great-aunt's cranky canine, he had no choice but to come to me, the local dog whisperer, for help. As for me? I needed a fake boyfriend to ward off my ex-husband, who was determined to win me back. So, we struck a deal: I'd turn his dog into the town's best-behaved pet, and in return, he'd be my arm candy for a few family events and social gatherings. Simple, uncomplicated, and absolutely not romantic-at least, that was what we told ourselves. As we played house, I couldn't help but notice that underneath Alex's prickly shell was a dash of charm that wasn't listed in the ingredients. Our pretend dates started to feel a little too real. And our feigned kisses? They were getting laughably close to crossing the line. Suddenly, our interactions felt less like a food fight and more like foreplay. With every playful touch and lingering glance, I couldn't help but wonder: Was this fake relationship with Alex secretly penning its own authentic ending? Or was I risking it all for someone who was nothing more than make-believe?

As a female coach, I've always lived by a simple mantra: throw hard, swing for the fences, and never, ever look back-especially when it comes to past flames. So when my ex-boyfriend somehow manages to land the job as my new assistant coach, my life is flipped upside down. The game I thought I'd mastered is now being played with a whole new set of rules. My ex is baseball's all-star Nathan Pierce. He's tall, dark, and undeniably handsome. He's also all too eager to spend extra hours working together while flashing that familiar devilish smirk of his that still sends my heart racing. Between playful teasing and lingering stares, I discover that Nathan isn't just here to work. He's here to rewrite history. Our history. When fate throws another curveball that involves me needing a place to stay, Nathan offers me his spare bedroom, which sends me spiraling into emotions I believed had long since faded. Now, I'm faced with the ultimate decision: keep it professional and continue fleeing from our past, or confront it head-on by playing the game he thinks we were meant to finish together.

Willow Kingsley is everything I don't need in my life. She's sunshine and chaos dressed in a flower crown. She's a wildflower in a world I've spent years trying to keep simple and quiet. She talks too much, smiles too easily, and doesn't understand the meaning of personal space. Worst of all, she's staying in my house for the summer, turning my carefully guarded world upside down. I know I should keep my distance. People like her don't stay, and I've had my fill of being left behind. But the more time I spend with her, the harder it is to remember why I built these walls in the first place. She's getting under my skin-into my heart-and making me want things I've spent years trying to avoid. Falling for Willow would be a mistake. She's a free bird, and I'm the anchor she's desperate to escape. But every time she looks at me, I can't help but wonder: What if she's not the one who's meant to fly? What if, this time, I'm meant to soar?