The Me I Never Knew

She came to escape burnout. He never meant to let her matter. Love had other plans.

When Pressley Saxe's boss sends her on a forced retreat to the Moonlight Lodge and Cabins, she expects nothing more than a change of scenery. A high-powered interior designer on the edge of burnout, Pressley doesn't know how to slow down-and she's not convinced she should. Work has always been her shield.

Roman Hagerty, owner of the lodge, isn't eager to meet her. From what he's heard, Pressley is beautiful, driven, and impossible to please-the kind of woman who's hurt him before. Still, a guest is a guest, and Roman keeps his distance, determined not to repeat old mistakes.

Pressley arrives carrying more than stress. A childhood shaped by neglect and constant conflict left her cynical about love and certain that marriage ends badly. She keeps men at arm's length, finding flaws before feelings can take hold.

At first, their worlds barely intersect. Roman runs the lodge. Pressley tries-awkwardly-to relax. But when Roman asks for her help refreshing the cabins, professional lines blur. Attraction grows. Laughter slips in. And what was meant to be temporary begins to feel dangerously real.

Neither wants romance. When emotions surface, Pressley runs-and Roman, believing love always leads to loss, lets her go.

But some connections don't fade so easily.

Can two guarded hearts risk vulnerability and discover the versions of themselves they never knew existed-or will fear cost them everything?