She always holds her head so high. I admire that about her. No shame, like the opinions of those around her don’t matter to her—even though I know they do. She’s strong.” It strikes me that perhaps I’m not an easy woman to love, but Theo does it so effortlessly that I feel like I could be. Like I deserve to be.” She says this means nothing. I say this means everything. She says there are boundaries we shouldn't cross. That my reputation can't take any more hits-and neither can her damaged heart. I say I'm going to steal it anyway. Winter is an ER doc who realizes that she’s married a douchebag who was a complete predator to her little sister. Struggling with those ramifications and wanting to rebuild the relationship with her sister, she sets out to her house where she has a run-in with the up-and-coming bull rider, Theo. Anytime the roads are bad, I can just, what? Give you a ring and you’ll come running to the rescue?”

And he's looking at me like I might be his next meal. I'm almost free of my toxic marriage and have sworn off men entirely. So all I see when I look at Theo is temptation served up with a heaping side of heartbreak. The man is hard to trust-and even harder to resist. Make that impossible. Because Theo is persistent. And no matter how hard I try to freeze him out, he melts my icy exterior and pulls apart all my defences. Then I spend the singular hottest night of my life with him. It was supposed to be a one-time thing. But I don't need a goddamn babysitter, especially one with skin-tight jeans, a sexy smirk, and a mouth she can't stop running... A mouth I can't stop thinking about.

Make that impossible. Because Theo is persistent. And no matter how hard I try to freeze him out, he melts my icy exterior and pulls apart all my defences.

I will go wherever you want. I will wear whatever you want. I will never turn my phone off again. I will always, always be there for you. For Vivi. You don’t need to beg, and you don’t need to say please. For as long as I live, for as long as you need me, you’ll have me. Okay? Never doubt that.” I think people mistake you being in a bad mood when you’re just overwhelmed. I think you needed to lie here for a few minutes with no one needing you. I think you’re overstimulated and even the best of us require some time to collect ourselves.”I just remembered that he called me the morning after you two first got together. And do you know what he said to me? I kept thinking of divorce as a failure. But leaving tonight didn’t feel like failing. It felt like relief. Like someone has been standing on my chest and I finally got my shit together enough to push them off. My muscles are tired from pushing, and I’ve got some bumps and bruises from the fight. Leaving hurt, but I can finally breathe through the pain.” Make that impossible. Because Theo is persistent. And no matter how hard I try to freeze him out, he melts my icy exterior and pulls apart all my defenses.

Now Winter’s personality is just as cold as her name though she’s tired of people always putting her in the box as an ice queen without really trying to get to know her.I’m also relieved, because I’ve been waiting for this shoe to drop. His patient and unwavering commitment is superhuman. It’s not normal. For the first time, I got a flash of him being a regular insecure human and I find that relatable. I know how to react. This happy, sunny, constantly upbeat person is lovely, but I feel like it’s . . . a facade.” I’m almost free of my toxic marriage and have sworn off men entirely. So all I see when I look at Theo is temptation served up with a heaping side of heartbreak. So when a bunch of tequila and an announcement that no man’s ever given her the big “O” get mixed, these two have an epic one-night stand that Winter later releases leaves her pregnant. That sentiment. This man. It’s like there was something missing inside me. Like I wasn’t whole, until he came along.”