By Next August

<p><em>What if I told you none of it was accidental? </em></p><p></p><p>Getting close to people isn't an option for Kory Brooks anymore. After a lifetime of being</p><p>left behind she's traded her once-bold heart for guarded walls and stubborn</p><p>independence. Letting someone in just isn't worth the risk.</p><p>Dominic Rissi knows the feeling. His own family walked away years ago and he's kept</p><p>that pain buried ever since. But Kory? She's the one he's never been able to</p><p>forget-timing just never worked in their favor... Until now.</p><p></p><p>When work throws them together on a cross-state road trip sparks fly in more ways</p><p>than one. Kory lays out a plan: no flirting no feelings no exceptions. But rules have a</p><p>way of falling apart when hearts get involved-especially with Dom's quiet charm and</p><p>his unwavering insistence on winning her over.</p><p></p><p>Then an unexpected tragedy lands them in the hospital. While anxiously waiting for</p><p>answers secrets come out and emotional walls are torn down forcing them to decide:</p><p>protect themselves like always or finally take the risk of letting someone all the way in.</p><p></p><p>In a story of love loyalty loss and hope-it takes just one year for everything to</p><p>change bringing each of them unexpected closure and revealing that maybe together</p><p>they're exactly what each other needs to heal and move forward.</p>