With a former fling now a cherished friendship, Tara secretly longs for more. But is desire enough to bridge two damaged souls? Tara Sanderson is determined to be a good friend when Lee and Antonio's upcoming wedding means countless hours in close company with Gabe Cooper, the best man and her secret ex-flame. Armed with her many rules and meager emotional resilience, she hides her feelings to protect herself. Friendship is more than enough; the man who unknowingly broke her heart has become a beloved friend. After years of therapy and seclusion to recover from a string of abusive relationships, Gabe feels whole enough to love again. His obsessive infatuation with the stranger who stole his shattered heart has healed into manageable yearning for the Tara he's come to know. Instead of pining after yet another person who will never love him back—or worse, pursuing her and losing their friendship—he reluctantly agrees to the blind dates his mom sets up for him. Tara's self-control slips after learning he's looking for love with anyone but her, revealing she's not as content to be "e;just friends"e; as she pretends. Ever the hopeless romantic, Gabe tries to show Tara how good they could be together. Tara must break all her rules to accept the happiness she longs for, but her habit of running from her feelings may be more than Gabe's still-fragile heart can bear.
